Titian [Tiziano Vecellio], (Italian, circa 1488–1576), King Philip II of Spain, circa 1550–51, oil on canvas, Cincinnati Art Museum, Bequest of Mary M. Emery, 1927.402.

Audio Description

This portrait of King Philip II of Spain was made around 1550/1551 by the Italian artist Tiziano Vecellio, called Titian, who lived from about 1488 to 1576. It is an oil painting on canvas and was bequeathed to the Cincinnati Art Museum by Mary M. Emery. Its accession number is 1927.402.

Here we have the life-sized portrait of a young king, seated in an armchair turned three-quarters toward the viewer. Behind is a heavy silk curtain decorated with silver embroidery and an open window on the left. His head faces forward, but his eyes look sideways, out at us. He wears a jeweled crown over his short brown hair and is dressed in robes of state that are loosely brushed in and, in some areas, look unfinished. They are white with long, puffed sleeves, decorated with alternating areas of black and white vertical stripes from his shoulder to elbow. Dark fabric is draped over his shoulders and falls to his legs. Philip’s left hand rests on the armrest of an elaborately gilt decorated chair. His right hand holds a scepter that is braced on his right thigh. Hanging over his chest is a large gold chain with a sheep pendant -- the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Label Copy

This portrait of King Philip II of Spain was made around 1550/1551 by the Italian artist Tiziano Vecellio, called Titian, who lived from about 1488 to 1576. It is an oil painting on canvas and was bequeathed to the Cincinnati Art Museum by Mary M. Emery. Its accession number is 1927.402.

Titian was the preeminent Venetian painter of the sixteenth century. His masterful use of color and loose brushwork earned him an international reputation and patronage. Although this portrait remained unfinished at the artist’s death, Titian captured Philip II of Spain (1527–1598) as an authoritative young king. Elements such as the crown, the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and the chair were added by another hand after Titian’s death to “finish” the painting.

Five paintings by Titian were included among the “202,” and each made the full U.S. tour. Four of the works were portraits, demonstrating the master’s skill in the genre. One is a self-portrait that, like Philip II, was painted late in the artist’s career. The Self-Portrait was also unfinished and displays a similar approach to the body and hands, all loosely sketched in paint.

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