Man in a Black Plumed Hat (oil on canvas)

The history of this portrait is unknown, beyond the fact that it seems to have been acquired by George Wyndham, Earl of Egremont (1751-1837). This portrait is similar in type and date to the ‘Interrupted Concert’ in the Pitti Palace and the ‘Young Man with Gloves’ (Earl of Halifax). They share a common placing of the figure in the picture space, as well as colouring and execution. Titian painted a succession of portraits of young men around this time, all with penetrating psychological detail. It has been proposed that they might have been part of his social circle and that he knew them relatively well. The sitter in this portrait was historically, and fancifully, identified as Giorgione, which cannot be the case. However, Titian’s technique at this date, does owe something to that of Giorgione.