Cardinal Pietro Bembo

1539/1540 · Painting

May one see it?

Yes, receiving visitors

National Gallery of Art

Washington, D.C., United States

Room23 · West Building, Main Floor

On public display.

Checked: 9 days ago
In this state since: Aug 19, 2026
Source: The museum

On the map Museum page

About the painting

Portrait of Cardinal Pietro Bembo is a 1539–1540 oil on canvas painting by Titian, now in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Wikipedia CC BY-SA

Particulars

Accession number: 1952.5.28

What it shows

Male Bembo, Cardinal Pietro

In the catalog

Paintings Oil Italian painting Venetian painting Renaissance 16th century Venetian Portrait

Sources

National Gallery of Art
Image: National Gallery of Art — Museum open access

Meanwhile, in the life of Titian

The whole life

1530–1539
The young Tintoretto in Titian's workshop
According to Tom Nichols, the very young Tintoretto, brought to Titian's studio by his father, probably entered the workshop between 1530 and 1539, but only for a very brief time. According to Ridolfi, after being cast out of the studio he resolved to become a painter by studying the canvases of Titian and the reliefs of Michelangelo, and wrote on his wall the motto “Michelangelo's design and Titian's colour”.
1537–1538
“The Battle of Cadore”: a threat to repay the money
The battle canvas for the Doge's Palace, commissioned in 1513, remained unfinished by June 1537: according to a document dated 23 June 1537 the Council demanded he return the funds paid for the years in which he had done no work, and a serious competitor, Pordenone, who since at least 1520 had challenged Titian's primacy in Venice, was available to replace him. He completed the canvas, the “Battle of Cadore”, in 1538; it was later lost in a fire at the Doge's Palace.
1540 · Workplace
Milan
1540
A pension from the Marquis del Vasto
In 1540 Titian received a pension of 50 ducats from Alfonso d'Avalos, Marquis del Vasto.
15 August 1541
A stipend from Emperor Charles V
On 15 August 1541 Charles V awarded Titian an annual stipend of 100 scudi payable at a bank in Milan.
1542
A contract to supply grain to Cadore
Titian was adept in managing his affairs: he invested in real estate, lent money at interest and dealt in lumber and grain; in 1542 he obtained a contract for supplying grain to Cadore when local stores were low.