By 1540s, the High Renaissance and mannerist artists                                                  were declining. The Venetian painters assumed a position                                                  of artistic supremacy. During this period the preeminant                                                  artist was Titian.      Titian was neither such a universal scholar as Leonardo, nor had such an outstanding personality as Michelangelo, or as versatile and attractive man as Raphael. Titian was a painter, but a painter whose handling of paint equaled Michelangelo's mastery of draughtsmanship. This great skill allowed Titian to discard all the time-honored rules of composition, and instead rely on color to hold unity. The main reason Titian was so great was the way in which Titian contrived to let light, air and colors unify the scene.      Many experts, and those who just enjoy art as well, say that the triumph of the colors in Venetian paintings are due to Titian. Later Venetian artists were influenced by Titian: Tintoretto, Veronese, and Bassano. However, Titian's work also influenced Rubens, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Delacroix, the Flemish painters, and other seventeeth century artists.      Titian concentrated on light, textures, and form in his paintings. Instead of using minute details, he used colors to convey a feeling or impression and let the viewer complete the painting to their own liking. Many people remember him today for his beautiful use of auburn to glorify his paintings. This way of painting with less brushstrokes (on effect of failing eyesight) has made him become known as the "father of modern painting."      Titian's style provided ambitious young artists an alternative to the linear and sculptural Florentine styles of Michelangelo and Raphael. Many say, Titian's work reached the highest limit of human achievement in the visual arts.