On-line gallery
- Reference number
- E00271
- Author
- Leoni, Leone (Italian), Leoni, Pompeo (Italian)
- Title
- Emperor Carlos V (bust)
- Chronology
- Ca. 1553
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 112 cm x 58 cm x 40 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
An image of the Emperor (1500-1558)
with the armor he wore during the
Battle of Mühlberg and the
customary attributes of his power:
the Golden Fleece and the
Sash.
The profuse carving on the armor
shows numerous motives. A low
relief on the brestplate Christ
standing on the Cross, alluding to
the Emperor's condition as a
“soldier of Christ,” or “defender
of the Faith.” The pallettes have a
winged figure bearing a palm leaf,
symbolizing Victory. The pedestal
shows an eagle, symbolizing the
Empire, flanked by the nude figures
of a man and woman, which emphasize
the Renaissance vision of a
classical hero. In that same sense,
Carlos V's contained expression
relates this image to those of
Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor
whom Renaissance men considered the
finest model of a virtuous ruler.
The model is directly inspired by
Titian's idealized portraits of
Carlos V (P410, for example). The
decoration of the armor, whose
realism and fine detail are worthy
of a goldsmith, is among the finest
of the Leoni's works.
Location on the map
