This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Portraits

Portraits

JAMES FITTLER (1758-1835)

Title-page with the portrait of Bindo Altoviti

published 1797

Engraving with etching | 18.8 x 13.4 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 850110

A reversed print after the Portrait of Bindo Altoviti, a painting by Raphael (c.1516-18) now in the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC (Samuel Kress Collection, inv. no.1943.4.33). This print is lettered with the title. According to Ruland (1876), this print is a title-page of Fittler's Cartoons (1797). Trimmed within the platemark.

Traditionally the painting was regarded as a self-portrait by Raphael. Its authorship has been disputed, but scholars are now almost unanimous in considering it an authentic work by Raphael. The identification of the sitter as Bindo Altoviti, a banker born in Rome in 1491 but of Florentine origin, is now universally accepted.

  • Creator(s)

    James Fittler (1758-1835) (author)

    After Raphael (1483-1520) (artist)

    Subject(s)

    Bindo Altoviti (1491-1557)
    George III, King of the United Kingdom (1738-1820)
  • 18.8 x 13.4 cm (sheet of paper)

    13.1 x 7.8 cm (image)

  • CARTONS / DONE from the Originals / IN / His Majesty's / COLLECTION

  • Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)

  • Subject(s)
    • Genealogy and Heraldry
      • Heraldry
        • Coats of arms
          • Coats of arms-Royal
    • Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sport
      • Tapestries
        • Tapestry designs
          • Tapestry cartoons of Raphael (Acts of the Apostles)
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • prints
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    Capellen 2008 : Capellen, JM, 2008. Raphael : the paintings. Volume 3, The Roman Portraits ca.1508-1520 pp.109-14, no.72

    Henry/Joannides 2012 : Late Raphael, 2012. Edited by T. Henry and P. Joannides pp.279-84, no.77

    Other number(s)

    Ruland p.9 B.IV.16