How does Portrait of John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony elucidate its History?
During his two stays at Augsburg, Titian painted all the monarchs, electors and other royalty there at the time, but many of these portraits are now lost. There remain, however, the Portrait of Charles V in Munich, and the famous Equestrian Portrait in Madrid. The centre of interest, however, was the Elector John Frederick of Saxony, then a prisoner. Titian's activity at the court of Charles V was confined not to a single visit but to two, broken by a return to Venice. He was summoned again to Augsburg to paint the heir, Philip II, and a letter dated 11 November 1550 describes his second reception by the Emperor. It was to this second stay, probably, that we owe the portrait of the captive Elector of Saxony, which is now preserved at Vienna. He was painted by Titian at least twice; once with a scar on his face in armour, the second time (the subject of this article) in a black robe edged with sable, sitting in an armchair.
Portrait of Charles V John Frederick of Saxony Titian Philip II Augsburg Equestrian Portrait