Portrait of a Young Man, ca. 1510

About the Work

This early work by Titian presents such a radically close-up view of the sitter that he has to cut off the top of his cap and even his arms. The casual clothing – a white chemise clearly visible under a blue jacket shot through with gold thread – implies an intimacy that is further amplified by the small size of the panel. This is indeed the smallest of Titian’s paintings and not unlike a portrait miniature. Whether it was originally a stand-alone piece or was worked into a piece of furniture or wooden panelling is impossible to say.