Emperor Rudolph II on Rearing Horse
1600
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1600
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A man in fancy clothes sits high on a rearing horse. His armor gleams. The horse lifts both front legs off the ground. Behind them, a city skyline fades into soft light. This is an engraving: the artist carved lines into metal, then inked it to print. The cross-hatching gives shadows depth. Look close and you’ll see tiny details—the horse’s muscles, the man’s lace collar. Try making your own print. See how Sadeler II, Aegidius did it.
