Titian Partakes of a Cappuccino and a Glass of Red
Heather Brennan
Oil on Canvas 1998

This work earned Heather Brennan the College prize at the Royal Glasgow Institute in 1998 and she considers it her “magnum opus”. The title, Titian Partakes of a Cappuccino and a Glass of Red, is a reference not only to the narrative, but also to the work that inspired it. The composition is an homage to Titian. The configuration of the figures is quoted directly from his painting, Christ Crowned with Thorns  (c.1540. the Louvre, Paris). Brennan includes other elements reminiscent of Renaissance art, such as the classicised columns and arch in the background and the tile pattern which indicated the recession of space. Interestingly, many of the compositional elements in Titian’s painting are attributed to the direct influence of Michelangelo on his work. Brennan’s painting is one in a grand tradition of artists citing their heroes. This theme reoccurs in Brennan’s work. Some of her other figurative works are directly assigned ‘Old Master’ sources including Revisiting Raphael - Rachel and Rebecca and The Mathematician (after Vermeer) both of 1999.

After giving up her 15 year career as a professional artist, Brennan is now Departmental Assistant for the Department for Computing and Maths at Stirling University. She continues to produce artwork when her busy schedule allows. More of her work can be seen here.