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Sir Robert Shirley, With the Shah of Persian and the Papal Legat

Unknown 19th Century

1850

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Sir Robert Shirley, With the Shah of Persian and the Papal Legat is a 1850 ink by Unknown 19th Century, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown 19th Century
When & what style?: 1850 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows four men’s faces in oval frames, surrounded by fancy scrolls and symbols. The top two wear crowns, one holding crossed swords, the other a globe. Below them, two more men face forward, their names written in Latin around the edges. At the bottom, a small scene unfolds: a group of figures in robes, some kneeling, others standing, with a building in the background. The Latin text names these men as diplomats meeting in Rome. The top two likely represent powerful leaders—one from Persia, one from the Pope’s team—while the bottom two are English nobles. The tiny scene might show their meeting or a related event. This is an example of engraving, a technique where artists etch designs into metal plates.