Who painted Portrait of a Man Holding a Book?

Portrait of a Man Holding a Book was painted by Titian in 1540-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man Holding a Book?

Portrait of a Man Holding a Book is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

What movement is Portrait of a Man Holding a Book?

Portrait of a Man Holding a Book is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Man Holding a Book?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Man Holding a Book are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man Holding a Book

Titian , 1540

Portrait of a Man Holding a Book is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Titian. It dates from 1540 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Created around 1540, this oil painting presents a solitary male figure clutching a small book.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

As a portrait genre work, the image focuses on the representation of this specific individual rather than a named historical character or religious figure.

The painting depicts an unidentified man, identified as the main subject, who is portrayed holding a book. The figure is also shown wearing a hat, elements that define the composition alongside the central male figure. As a portrait genre work, the image focuses on the representation of this specific individual rather than a named historical character or religious figure.

The inclusion of the book suggests an association with literacy or scholarship, while the hat and the man's direct engagement with the viewer characterize the work as a formal portrait of an unknown sitter.

Technique & Style

Portrait of a Man Holding a Book is an oil painting on canvas, executed by Titian in 1540. The work measures 97.8 cm in height by 77.2 cm in width. Its portrait format centers on a man depicted with a book and a hat, rendered in oil paint as the sole documented medium.

History & Provenance

Attributed to Titian and dated to 1540, this oil painting on canvas depicts an unidentified man holding a book. The work's documented ownership history includes possession by Pinakos Inc, followed by the dealer Thomas Agnew & Sons, and subsequently Galerie Trotti. It currently resides in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, where it is classified as a portrait genre piece.

The painting is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Previous owners of the work include Pinakos Inc, Thomas Agnew & Sons, and Galerie Trotti. The provided sources do not contain specific inventory numbers or a record of public exhibitions for this artwork.

Overview

Created around 1540, this oil painting presents a solitary male figure clutching a small book. The sitter’s identity remains unknown, and the composition is set against a muted backdrop that isolates the figure. Executed by the Venetian artist Titian, the work exemplifies the refined portraiture for which he was celebrated during the Italian Renaissance.

Portrait of a Young Man with a Book, Bronzino

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Artist & collection

Artist

Titian

Tiziano Vecellio (Italian:; c. 1488/1490 – 27 August 1576), Latinized as Titianus, hence known in English as Titian ( TISH-ən), was an Italian Renaissance painter. The most important artist of Renaissance Venetian…