Titian
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) was born in Pieve di Cadore, a small town at the foot of the Dolomites on the Venetian side of the Alps. He was the greatest painter of 16th-century Venice, and the first painter to have a mainly international clientele. During his long career, he experimented with many different styles of painting that embodied the development of art during his epoch.
This painting, known by the 17th century as La Schiavona (the Dalmatian woman), must date from 1510-12. The initials T.V. on the parapet probably stand for Tiziano Vecellio. The raised portion of the parapet is a revision, and drapery originally painted there now shows through it. The profile relief, inspired by those on antique cameos, seems to be of the same sitter.
See also our article "Titian’s Women Who Are In Fact The Same Woman" on DailyArtDaily.com and have a great Tuesday!