Titian's Equestrian Portrait of Charles V, an oil on canvas painted between April and September 1548, was commissioned by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, to commemorate his victory over the Protestant Schmalkaldic League at the Battle of Muhlberg on 24 April 1547. The emperor is shown mounted on a rearing horse in full battle armour, carrying a lance, in a pose evoking a Roman emperor going out on campaign. The armour and the horse's caparison depicted are the actual pieces Charles wore at the battle, which survive today in the Royal Armoury in Madrid. Rather than a triumphant image, Titian presents the aging and physically frail emperor as staid, controlled and serene, set against a dark wooded landscape beneath a brooding sky. The painting passed into the Spanish royal collection and has been held at the Museo del Prado in Madrid since 1827.
Facts
Origins
Commissioned BySourced to the subject's own accountCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor, to commemorate his victory over the Protestant Schmalkaldic League at the Battle of Muhlberg on 24 April 1547. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Depicts
The portrait's sole subject, Titian's most celebrated image of the emperor.
Sources
1. Equestrian Portrait of Charles V (Wikipedia)
Titian (Wikipedia)
WikipediaDepicts: Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorQuote, Depicts: Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Commissioned by the emperor to commemorate his defeat of the Schmalkaldic League at the Battle of Muhlberg. It shows Charles in his battle armour carrying a lance, suggesting the appurtenances of a Roman emperor going on campaign.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.