In Victoria Amoris there is a short excerpt that told a bit about the creation of the painting. It was a request by a someone in the royal court. When he discovered that TItian completed Giorgione's work on the "Sleeping Venus" he liked it so much he wanted something a similar piece for his personal collection. Although, he wanted it to be an exchange made in secret for he did not want to be shamed. I suppose he did it in part to honor Giorgione but succeeded in surpassing him as well.