Allegory of (Time Governed by) Prudence

The three heads are symbolic of the three ages of man: youth, maturity and old age. The inscription is arranged in three sections associated with the respective heads underneath. The dark left head resembles Titian himself in old age, the bearded man in the center has been thought to represent his son Orazio, while the bright youth may depict his cousin and heir, Marco Vecellio. The triple-headed beast - wolf, lion and dog - is a recognized symbol of prudence.