Vecelli (or Vecellio), Francesco

Vecelli (or Vecellio), Francesco an Italian painter, brother of Titian, was born at Cadore, in the Friuli, in 1483. He was instructed by his brother, and showed such talents as to excite the jealousy of Titian, who is said to have persuaded him to engage in other pursuits. He then entered the army and led a military life until the restoration of peace in Italy, when he returned to Venice and resumed painting. He now executed some altar-pieces and portraits in the style of Titian, possessing so much merit as to excite the alarm of the master, who induced him to devote his attention to the decoration of cabinets with small paintings, for which there was a great demand at that time. In 1531 he relinquished painting entirely, and gave his attention to merchandising. The duplicity and illiberality of Titian towards his brother Francesco are denied by many, on the ground that they are incredible. Moreover, it is claimed that Francesco was an "erratic and wayward genius" who became dissatisfied with an occupation that merely gained him his bread, and joined the army. When the army disbanded he returned to painting again for a time, then became a merchant, and finally threw away his time and money in the vain pursuit of alchemy. His best works are, The Transfiguration, in the Church of San Salvatore at Venice: — and The Nativity, in the Church of San Giuseppe at Belluna: — besides some of his cabinet pieces. The time of his death is not known. See Spooner, Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, s.v.