Artwork
Charles II on Horseback
Charles II on Horseback is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Unknown 19th Century. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Charles II on Horseback is a print created through a combination of engraving and etching. The image presents a 17th‑century figure on a horse, set against a landscape that includes grass, water, distant ships, trees, hills and a cloudy sky.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a man dressed in period attire—a hat and coat—riding a horse while holding the reins with his left hand. His expression is solemn, suggesting a formal or ceremonial portrayal of the monarch in a poised, authoritative stance.
Technique & Style
The work employs fine, intersecting lines characteristic of engraving alongside the softer, acid‑etched tones of etching. This dual approach yields intricate textures on the rider’s clothing, the horse’s musculature, and the surrounding scenery, producing a sense of depth and realism within the print medium.
Context
Although the image is sometimes linked to Romanticism because of its dramatic landscape, the technique and subject matter align more closely with the baroque tradition of royal portraiture, where prints served to disseminate the monarch’s image across a wide audience.
Artist & collection
Artist
