[Venus und Adonis; Venus and Adonis]

1525

Marries Cecilia, the mother of his sons

Cecilia, a barber's daughter from Pieve di Cadore, had been Titian's housekeeper and for some five years his mistress, and had already borne him two sons, Pomponio and Orazio. In 1525, when she fell seriously ill, Titian married her to legitimise the children; Cecilia recovered, and the marriage was a happy one.

1527

Aretino, Sansovino and the “triumvirate”

In March 1527 the satirist Pietro Aretino arrived in Venice: he became friends with Titian and with Jacopo Sansovino, and the three were popularly known as “the triumvirate”, becoming the centre of the city's artistic establishment. Aretino enlisted both in pursuing the patronage of Federico II Gonzaga, and by the autumn of 1527 the Marquis of Mantua had received from Titian a portrait of Aretino (lost); important commissions and an introduction to Emperor Charles V followed.

1529

First meeting with Emperor Charles V in Parma

Thanks to the patronage of Federico Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, in 1529 at Parma Titian obtained an audience with Emperor Charles V, who promised him his patronage.

1533

Bologna: Count Palatine and Knight of the Golden Spur

In 1533, after painting a portrait of Emperor Charles V in Bologna, Titian was made a Count Palatine and Knight of the Golden Spur; his children were reportedly also made nobles of the Empire. He was court painter to Charles V from 1533 and received from him a heavy gold chain.

1545–1546

A triumphant trip to Rome

In 1545–1546 Titian made a triumphant trip to Rome, painting portraits of Pope Paul III and meeting Michelangelo. Returning to Venice, he found that the most lucrative commissions were going to other, younger artists.

1547–1548

Augsburg: the “Equestrian Portrait of Charles V”

In 1547 Titian was summoned from Venice to Augsburg to paint portraits of Charles V and other dignitaries; at the Diet in early 1548 he completed six paintings, among them the “Equestrian Portrait of Charles V”. He also made the emperor aware that he had not received a single payment of his stipend, and on 10 July 1548 Charles V granted him a second annual pension of 100 scudi.