The rondel depicts Cupid trampling a lion and represents love conquering bestiality. It would seem that the work originally functioned as a cover for a portrait by Titian. In spite of the importance of the Ashmolean's Italian Renaissance collection, there are surprisingly few secular paintings on mythological or allegorical themes. This work is a valuable addition to the collection and complements the other Titian portrait acquired with Art Fund help in 2000. This work was acquired with assistance from the Wolfson Foundation.

Provenance

Gabriele Vendramin; by descent; Cristofano Orsetti; by descent; Bortolo (Bartolomeo) Bernard; by descent; John Udney; by descent; Christie's 1804; John Robert Udney; Christie's 1829; Major C. Currie; Christie's 1874; Duncan, i.e. William Gr