How does Shepherd with a Flute elucidate its Attribution?
Bernard Berenson was a strong supporter of the attribution to Giorgione, which still has some support. If by Giorgione, who died in 1510, it would probably date to  around 1508. Crowe and Cavalcaselle had already doubted the attribution in the later 19th century.  The attribution to Titian was most fully stated by John Shearman in his catalogue of this period in the Royal Collection, and has been agreed by many, including S. J. Freedberg.  Despite the similarity in the subject, the painting technique is regarded as very different from Giorgione's and close to undoubted early Titians.Other possibilities include Francesco Torbido and Morto da Feltre, suggested by various scholars in the 20th century.  The painting, in particular the composition of the head, also relates closely to another Giorgionesque bust figure in Vienna, David with the Head of Goliath; both may have a common model. X-rays reveal that the Vienna "David" originally held a lute, and the attributes of David were added later.
Crowe and Cavalcaselle John Shearman S. J. Freedberg Francesco Torbido David Morto da Feltre Titian Bernard Berenson Royal Collection Giorgione