Artwork
Emperor Charles V
Emperor Charles V is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Nicolò della Casa. It dates from 1586 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Nicolò della Casa’s 1586 engraving presents a portrait of Emperor Charles V. Executed on laid paper, the print captures the ruler in formal attire, emphasizing his status through elaborate costume and composed bearing.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, depicting him in regal dress that underscores his political authority and imperial identity. The careful rendering of facial features and garments conveys a sense of dignity appropriate to a sovereign portrait.
Technique & Style
Created by engraving, the work relies on incised lines cut into a metal plate, then transferred to paper. Della Casa’s precise line work and varied hatching achieve subtle tonal shifts, allowing intricate detail despite the print’s modest size.
History & Provenance
The print dates to 1586, a period when portrait engravings served both commemorative and propagandistic purposes. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work exemplifies the circulation of imperial imagery in late‑Renaissance print culture.
Artist & collection
Henri II, King of France
Sigismund Bathori, Prince of Transylvania
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Gaspar de Guzman, Count of Olivares and Duke of San Lucas
H Beard Print Collection
Gaspar de Coligny
Emperor Rudolph II
Rudolph II
Charles I as Prince of Wales
Giovanni de' Medici
Henry IV, King of France
Portrait of Emperor Charles V