Published: 28 March, 2009, 13:41
Edited: 28 March, 2009, 13:41
One of the most famous Renaissance portraits by Titian has arrived in Moscow. It will be put on display on April 7, at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts to mark Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s coming visit.
Titian’s masterpiece, "The Young Englishman," is also known as "Gentleman with the blue-grey eyes," and is said to be one of his most mysterious works.
The portrait, dated from 1520-1545 , still makes art critics from around the world guess who is actually portrayed on it and exactly when it was painted.
According to some experts, Titian’s portrait features Ippolito Riminaldi, a lawyer from Ferrara. According to others, the artist painted his close friend, Pietro Aretino.
“The Young Englishman” has been taken from the Palatine Gallery in Florence, and will be on display at the Pushkin museum until June 7.
The Italian Prime Minister will begin his two-day visit in Moscow on April 5. He will head a delegation of businessmen looking for potential investment in Russia.