On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00412
- Author
- Titian [Vecellio di Gregorio Tiziano] (Italian)
- Title
- Gentleman with a Watch
- Chronology
- Ca. 1550
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 122 cm x 101 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
A portrait of an unknown Knight of
the Order of Malta who wears its
white cross on his clothing. His
left hand rests on a table
clock.
This clock represents the passage
of time and the fugacity of life.
And, while Titian included this
symbol in other compositions, it is
rarely actually touched by the
subject.
This work was given to Felipe IV
(1606-1665) by Prince Ludovisi in
1637 and appears in the 1666
inventory of the Alcázar Palace. It
entered the Prado Museum collection
in 1827.
Location on the map
