Emperor Rudolph II
1603
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1603
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Emperor Rudolph II is a 1603 ink by Aegidius Sadeler II, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a serious-looking man in armor. His face fills the center, framed by a fancy arch with Latin words. Around him, four winged figures hold up shields and scrolls. The background is packed with tiny carved details—leaves, animals, and strange symbols. The man’s armor looks heavy, like he’s ready for battle. The artist used sharp lines to create shadows and texture, making everything pop. Try looking up engraving to see how this kind of print was made.
