Researchers in Cyprus have made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing a hidden portrait that lay undetected for centuries beneath a 1570 oil painting by Renaissance master Titian. The hidden image, which was buried under the artwork Ecce Homo, has now been reconstructed and is on display in Limassol.
Portrait Beneath the Masterpiece
The newly uncovered portrait depicts an unidentified man with a thin moustache, holding a quill and standing next to a stack of books or papers. This modest and prosaic image starkly contrasts with the dramatic scene that Titian later painted over it—a depiction of Jesus Christ, bound and wearing a crown of thorns, standing before Pontius Pilate.
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Professor Nikolas Bakirtzis, an art and architectural historian leading the research team at the Cyprus Institute (CyI), described the painting as holding a long-kept secret, only now uncovered through modern technology.
How Researchers Made the Discovery
The painting was undergoing conservation work when experts noticed unusual pigments through craquelure, the fine cracks that naturally form on the surface of old paintings. This prompted further investigation using advanced imaging techniques.
Researchers at the Andreas Pittas Art Characterisation Laboratories (APAC) at CyI employed non-invasive analytical methods to reconstruct the buried portrait. Through X-ray visuals, they managed to piece together the full image and even recreated an oil painting of the man.
Titian’s Practice of Reusing Canvases
Born Tiziano Vecellio in 1488, Titian was a leading figure of the Venetian Renaissance and, along with his studio, produced hundreds of paintings before his death in 1576. It is well-documented that he sometimes reused canvases, painting over earlier works. However, this discovery is particularly unique because it was a full portrait that Titian turned upside down before transforming it into Ecce Homo.
Bakirtzis noted that elements of the original painting were cleverly incorporated into the final composition. For instance, the man’s jawline was used to outline the ropes binding Christ’s wrists. He described this as a mark of Titian’s confidence and skill, reinforcing the idea that this version of Ecce Homo is a prime example of his artistry.
Exhibition in Limassol
The findings have sparked great interest in the art world, and an exhibition featuring Titian’s Ecce Homo alongside the reconstructed hidden portrait is currently open in Limassol. The exhibit, which began in late January, will run until March 10, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the creative process of one of history’s greatest painters.
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Bakirtzis emphasized the rarity of this discovery, saying, “I am not aware of any case where we can safely map the direct painting of a composition over an earlier one.” The revelation sheds new light on Titian’s methods, providing fresh insight into the way Renaissance artists repurposed their works.