Emperor Charles V
1519
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1519
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a man’s side profile inside a large, ornate circle. His face is serious, wearing a hat and a ruffled collar. Around him, swirling patterns fill the space—leaves, flowers, and strange creatures twist into the border. The name *Carolus Quintus* (Latin for Charles V) is written on the right side, hinting at who the man might be. The artist used a method called etching, where acid bites into metal to create the lines. Look up etching to see how this technique works.
