TIZIANO Vecellio
(b. 1490, Pieve di Cadore, d. 1576, Venezia)

Portrait of Philip II

c. 1554
Oil on canvas, 185 x 103 cm
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence

Most of this painting must be attributed to a particularly able member of Titian's workshop. Here, the face of Philip II is made to appear handsome. The entire method of painting is considerably more detailed than in Titian's own Prado portrait of Philip, so it is thought that this portrait was painted by an associate of Titian's from north of the Alps. Philip II may well have been more satisfied with this version, as he had complained to his aunt, Queen Mary of Hungary, about the imprecise execution of his portrait.