Titian is the nickname of Tiziano Veccellio, who started his career as Giorgione’s assistant and went on to become the official painter to the Republic of Venice. Titian essentially picked up where Giorgione left off after his early death, and worked on a number of paintings attributed by some to Giorgione. Titian was a highly regarded painter during his long life and was even praised by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, who wanted only Titian to paint his portrait. Titian worked in oil, and was known to finely grind his pigments and apply many layers of glaze to the surface of his canvas. As a result, Titian’s paintings are nearly unparalleled in their vibrancy and color.