Artwork
The Assassination of King Wenzel III
The Assassination of King Wenzel III is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Joseph von Führich. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right: J. Fuhrich inv. & / Del.; in later hand, across center verso: Tanner
About this work
Overview
Josef von Führich’s drawing titled The Assassination of King Wenzel III was completed in 1838. Executed with pen and black ink complemented by gray and light‑brown washes, the work measures the dramatic moment of a monarch’s murder. The composition places the fallen king in the foreground, his crown slipped nearby, while assailants surround him within a stone‑walled interior.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures the violent overthrow of a ruler, emphasizing the vulnerability of power. The king lies motionless on a tiled floor, his regal attire and crown juxtaposed with the aggressive gestures of the attackers, one brandishing a sword. The narrative invites reflection on the fleeting nature of authority and the chaos that follows its abrupt loss.
Technique & Style
Strong chiaroscuro creates stark contrasts, deepening the sense of three‑dimensionality and heightening the tension.
Führich employs pen work reinforced by ink washes, using varying tones of gray and brown to model form and space. Strong chiaroscuro creates stark contrasts, deepening the sense of three‑dimensionality and heightening the tension. The linear precision of the drawing combined with the fluidity of the washes reflects the Romantic interest in dramatic, emotionally charged subjects rendered with technical vigor.
Context
Created during the height of Romanticism, the drawing aligns with the movement’s fascination with historical upheaval, intense emotion, and theatrical composition. In the early nineteenth century, artists often turned to dramatic historical episodes to explore themes of heroism, tragedy, and the sublime, and Führich’s treatment of a royal assassination fits this broader artistic preoccupation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph von Führich (fully Josef Ritter von Führich) (9 February 1800 – 13 March 1876) was an Austrian painter, one of the Nazarenes. He painted religious pictures almost exclusively. Führich acquired his greatest fame as a draughtsman.
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