Portrait of Philip II

Philip is portrayed standing in a three-quarter pose, dressed in royal garments with the Roman Catholic Order of the Golden Fleece chain around his neck. Philip II’s left hand clutches his gloves as the hilt of his sword protrudes above. Titian captures the sovereign’s thoughtful and stern character, as Philip gazes resolutely beyond the presence of the viewer.

Philip II became King of Naples and Sicily in 1554, and King of Spain from 1556-98. This painting is based upon an earlier model created by Titian depicting Philip in armor, now in the Prado Museum, Madrid. Titian may have met Philip in Italy in 1549 or 1550-51, whereupon the sovereign commissioned his portrait. It remains unclear how this masterpiece entered into the Farnese collection.