'Titian' Stradivarius: quick facts
The 'Titian' is a golden-period Stradivari violin made in 1715. Its nickname comes from the deep orange-red colour of its varnish, which observers compared to the warm tones favoured by the Venetian Renaissance painter Titian. Dating from one of Stradivari's finest years, it is admired for both its appearance and its tone, and it has been performed on by distinguished violinists. The instrument is well documented in the literature on Stradivari and is regularly cited as an example of the varnish that helped make golden-period violins so visually striking. It remains in active concert use.
Sources: Tarisio — Cozio Archive of stringed instruments; Library of Congress — Stradivari instruments / Whittall Collection; The Metropolitan Museum of Art — musical instruments collection; Smithsonian — National Music Museum / NMAH string instruments. Educational information only — not financial, investment, or appraisal advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.