Titian painted this penetrating and sensitive portrait of Giacomo Doria in the early 1530s. Doria was a Genoese nobleman abducted merchant who also acted as a diplomat. He was connected to the Hapsburg court, and two of his sons became Doges of Genoa.

The expensive black clothing and the dark background make this a restrained even austere image. The grand marble column represents qualities such as fortitude and dignity. It also alludes to Doria’s wealth and magnificence.

Provenance: Purchased in memory of Professor Francis Haskell with the assistance of the Heritage lottery Fund, the Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation), the Friends and Young Friends of the Ashmolean and other donors, 2000.

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Titian (c. 1488 or 1490 – 1576)
Date: circa 1530 – 1535

Image Details
Date: 27 March 2025
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/25s
ISO: 400
Licensing: Image of an Ashmolean Museum asset. This image cannot be licensed.