Philip II of Spain on His Throne

Antonio Tempesta

1612

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

About this work

This etching shows five men in a dim, wood-paneled room. One sits on a throne, holding a paper, while the others stand around him—some leaning on canes or chairs. Their clothes are fancy but worn, with ruffled collars and long coats. The lighting is sharp, casting shadows that make the scene feel tense. Notice how the throne looks heavy and old, while the men’s faces are serious. The artist used lines to show texture, like the wood walls or the fabric folds. If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists create prints like this.