Scale model of Palace Te and portrait of Giulio Romano

Giulio Romano, painted by Tiziano, stands beside the model of his creation, Palace Te. The painting shows the architect turning toward us – the viewer is looking from where his client would be looking - and is showing a large white sheet of paper in which appears a detailed project of a building. Although the restorations have impoverished this painting, it is still magnificent. The hands of the artists are holding a plan for a building, they stand out against a black cloak, which in turn seems to emerge from a background similar in tone. Many hypothesis have been offered concerning the plan the architect is holding, indeed this project was probably never carried out. The round plan brings to mind many places in Mantua and elsewhere. Tiziano's skill here creates a sharp contrast between the dark shades and the explosive white of the paper that seems to illuminate the whole painting. Giulio’s face, serious but calm, is an allusion to the friendly relationship between the two artists.