Here's why:
* Lost or Destroyed Works: Many of Titian's paintings were lost or destroyed over time due to war, fire, or other disasters.
* Attributions: It's difficult to definitively attribute every painting to Titian. Some paintings are thought to be by his workshop, while others may be forgeries.
* No Complete Catalog: There is no single, comprehensive catalog of Titian's paintings.
Estimates:
* Art historians generally agree that Titian produced a significant number of paintings, likely somewhere between 500 and 700.
* Some estimates go as high as 800 or even 1000, but those are less widely accepted.
Instead of focusing on a specific number, it's more useful to study and appreciate the most famous and well-documented works by Titian. These include:
* Venus of Urbino
* The Assumption of the Virgin
* Portrait of Charles V
* The Rape of Europa
* The Flaying of Marsyas
By exploring these masterpieces, you can gain a better understanding of Titian's genius and his impact on art history.