Skip to content

DYCK, Sir Anthony van: Portrait of Charles V on Horseback

🖼 Portrait of Charles V on Horseback, c. 1620
Oil on canvas
191 × 123 cm
Florence, Italy

Golden light bathes an imperious figure astride a prancing horse, rendered with dynamic brushwork and theatrical grandeur. Van Dyck's equestrian portrait established the visual language of absolute power for European monarchy, influencing royal portraiture for centuries.

The story of art
The story of art
E. H. Gombrich
tap to buy ↗
We recommend Bookshop.org — supports independent bookstores
We recommend Bookshop.org — supports independent bookstores