Who painted Ferdinand I?

Ferdinand I was painted by Hanns Lautensack in 1556.

Where can I see Ferdinand I?

Ferdinand I is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Ferdinand I?

Ferdinand I is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Ferdinand I

Hanns Lautensack , 1556

Ferdinand I is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hanns Lautensack. It dates from 1556 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ferdinand I is a 1556 etching by German artist Hanns Lautensack, portraying the emperor in a detailed, black-and-white profile. The work combines the subject's likeness with symbolic and contextual elements.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts Emperor Ferdinand I in a fur-lined robe and cap, set against a backdrop of a cityscape with a church spire. The ornate stone frame surrounding him features carvings of various figures, animals, and shapes, potentially alluding to imperial power and cultural heritage.

Technique & Style

Lautensack employed fine etching lines to render the intricate folds of the emperor's clothing and the texture of his beard. The level of detail, including the stone frame's ornamentation, showcases the artist's mastery of the etching technique.

History & Provenance

Created during Lautensack's time in Vienna in 1556, the etching may have been commissioned by Ferdinand I himself, possibly in connection with the documentation of the emperor's ancient coin collection. Characteristically, the work would have been signed with Lautensack's monogram.