Tiziano Vecelli, or Titian as he is known as in English, was born sometime between 1488 and 1490 in the Republic of Venice. As a teenager he was apprenticed to Sebastiano Zuccato and went to work with other artists such as Bellini and Giorgione. who both had an influence on his art.
Titian became successful at a young age, and his 1518 altarpiece, Assumption of the Virgin, helped to establish him as a leading artist. His fame spread and Titian gained commissions from such people as the King of Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor, both of whom sat before him for portraits.
Later in his career Titian concentrated more on mythological and religious paintings. He continued to work until his death (possibly caused by the same plague which killed his son shortly after) on the 27th of August 1576 - well into his 9th decade.
Perhaps the leading artist of the late Renaissance, Titian's works have inspired countless followers such as Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Rubens.
The three men pictured are thought to be Titian himself, his son Orazio, and his cousin, Marco Vecellio. Each one represents a different stage of life - old age, the prime of manhood, and youth