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In spite of many speculative attempts, the identity of the sitter is unknown.
Titian presents his sitter in an imposing manner as a dignitary whose face, with its penetrating gaze, does not to betray a flicker of emotion. The severity of the presentation is given a surprisingly lyrical counterweight in the form of the evening landscape to the left. The artist has worked here with open, more diffuse brush strokes, which in places allow the grey ground to show through. Titian was to make extensive use of this method in his late work, even to the extent of applying paint with his fingers.
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