“The Man with a Glove”
Today, to Venice…
“The Man with a Glove” is an oil on canvas portrait painting by the Italian Renaissance artist, Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), from circa 1520. It was made early in his career, when he was about 30 years old. He was not yet the famous portrait artist he was to become.
In this piece, Titian paints the portrait of a young, eloquent, and wealthy man. He is seated facing forward but looks askance to the left giving viewers a ¾ view of his face. His left arm is resting on a marble slab that bears the artist’s signature. His left hand is wearing a leather glove, which is in turn holding the right-handed glove, as in the style of the day. His bare right-hand points towards his left, displaying a golden ring. A long gold chain necklace with a sapphire gem and pearl at the end is hanging from his neck, reinforcing his image as a wealthy man.
The stark contrasts between the whites of the shirt visible below the doublet against the darks of the doublet and background draw the viewer right to the subject’s face. The exact sitter of the portrait is unknown, though it is likely someone from near Venice. Some names that have been suggested including Girolamo Adorno, Giambattista Malatesta, and Ferrante Gonzaga. Though no one knows who the portrait depicts, it has had an interesting history and was owned by many famous historical figures.
Its earliest known provenience was in the private collection of the noble family from northern Italy, House Gonzaga, who was the Duke of Mantua. From there it was acquired by Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland. After Charles was beheaded in 1649, it ended up in the ownership of the Londoner, J. Jackson. It was then bought by a wealthy Cologne banker, Eberhard Jabach. Soon, Louis XIV acquired it, and it was at Versailles for many years. After the French monarchy was abolished in 1792, the painting was moved to the Musée du Louvre in Paris where it remains to this day.
“The Man with a Glove” is currently on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
For more on Titian, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
