Where can I see König Karl VIII. (1470-1498) von Frankreich, im Profil, Brustbild?

König Karl VIII. (1470-1498) von Frankreich, im Profil, Brustbild is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is König Karl VIII. (1470-1498) von Frankreich, im Profil, Brustbild?

König Karl VIII. (1470-1498) von Frankreich, im Profil, Brustbild is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

König Karl VIII. (1470-1498) von Frankreich, im Profil, Brustbild

König Karl VIII. (1470-1498) von Frankreich, im Profil, Brustbild is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Unknown. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The work is a small-scale portrait depicting a male figure in profile.

About this work

Overview

The work is a small-scale portrait depicting a male figure in profile. He is shown wearing a dark, flat cap adorned with a gold pin and a brown robe draped over his shoulder, set against a uniform bright‑green background. The composition focuses tightly on his face, which is rendered with a pale complexion, a pronounced nose, and short hair.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is identified as Charles VIII of France, who reigned from 1483 to 1498. As a bust portrait, it emphasizes his individual likeness rather than regal symbolism, presenting the future monarch in a straightforward, secular manner typical of late‑15th‑century court portraiture.

Technique & Style

The artist employs chiaroscuro, using stark light and shadow to model the facial features and give the portrait a three‑dimensional quality. The contrast between the illuminated cheek and the deepened shadow under the nose accentuates the sitter’s strong nose and creates a crisp, sculptural effect within the limited colour palette.

Context

Created between 1470 and 1498, the painting belongs to the transitional period between the International Gothic style and the early Renaissance in France. Its simple background and focus on individual character reflect the growing interest in personal portraiture among European courts at the close of the medieval era.