Allegory of Time Governed by Prudence

A painting to contemplate today, even though it was created in 1585 by Titian.  It hangs in the National Gallery in London and the art history books will tell you it's an oil painting on canvas.

But what else does it tell you?  Art of this period is very realistic in nature or focused on religion.

As an "allegory of time", it also shows the passage from one state of life into another.  And perhaps of one state of being into another.

Where is the Prudence in this painting?  Is it in the tempering of moods and emotions to keep from transitioning into the beast?  Or is the transition inevitable and the prudence keeps the transition's fury at bay?

And the use of light and shadows seems to echo the moods of the stages of the man's life and the animal's moods.

I want to see this painting in person some day.  It's very advanced for the period in which it was created, and a groundbreaking depiction of humanity.