DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0383
VITTORIA COLONNA’S MAGDALEN 353
and would have sent him the picture at once ; but
as I wished to keep a replica of the work, it was
necessary to wait until the painter was able to copy
it. Now it is finished, and I send the picture
to you by the bearer, praying you to present it
to the Signor Marchese in my name, saying how
much I wish it were even better than it is, although
if it pleases the Lady Marchesa, it cannot fail to be
very beautiful. And pray assure him—what, indeed,
he knows already—that anything else which I possess
is at his service.” 1
In parting with her choicest pictures to gratify
the Emperor’s favourites, Isabella was only following
the example of her brother Alfonso, who allowed
the Imperial secretary, Covos, to choose several of
the finest Titians at Ferrara, including his own por-
trait and that of his son Ercole. But it would be
interesting to know who was the painter of the
Magdalen which passed into the hands of Vittoria
Colonna. This accomplished lady had already, as we
know, one Magdalen of surpassing beauty, painted by
Titian at the Duke of Mantua’s request, and it is
doubtful if she wished for another. On the other
hand, a copy of a Magdalen by Titian is mentioned
in the inventory of 1627, and the relations of this
master with the Gonzagas were so frequent that
Vittoria’s picture was probably his work, and may
have been copied from the small travelling-piece
which he painted for the Marchesa in 1530.
There is no doubt that Titian executed another
commission for Isabella about this time. This was the
fine portrait of herself now in the Imperial Gallery
at Vienna. This picture, which represents the Mar-
1 Luzio in Rivista Mantovana, i. 19,
VOL. II.
Z
and would have sent him the picture at once ; but
as I wished to keep a replica of the work, it was
necessary to wait until the painter was able to copy
it. Now it is finished, and I send the picture
to you by the bearer, praying you to present it
to the Signor Marchese in my name, saying how
much I wish it were even better than it is, although
if it pleases the Lady Marchesa, it cannot fail to be
very beautiful. And pray assure him—what, indeed,
he knows already—that anything else which I possess
is at his service.” 1
In parting with her choicest pictures to gratify
the Emperor’s favourites, Isabella was only following
the example of her brother Alfonso, who allowed
the Imperial secretary, Covos, to choose several of
the finest Titians at Ferrara, including his own por-
trait and that of his son Ercole. But it would be
interesting to know who was the painter of the
Magdalen which passed into the hands of Vittoria
Colonna. This accomplished lady had already, as we
know, one Magdalen of surpassing beauty, painted by
Titian at the Duke of Mantua’s request, and it is
doubtful if she wished for another. On the other
hand, a copy of a Magdalen by Titian is mentioned
in the inventory of 1627, and the relations of this
master with the Gonzagas were so frequent that
Vittoria’s picture was probably his work, and may
have been copied from the small travelling-piece
which he painted for the Marchesa in 1530.
There is no doubt that Titian executed another
commission for Isabella about this time. This was the
fine portrait of herself now in the Imperial Gallery
at Vienna. This picture, which represents the Mar-
1 Luzio in Rivista Mantovana, i. 19,
VOL. II.
Z