Portret van Karel V van Habsburg 1778

Ferdinando Selma created this print of Charles V in 1775 in Madrid. It's an etching, a medium well-suited to the kind of precise, linear detail we see here. But what does it mean to create an image of a long-dead emperor in 18th century Spain? We see Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, in his finery, accompanied by a loyal hound. The setting and attire may allude to a glorious imperial past. In the 1770s, the Spanish monarchy, like many European powers, was grappling with questions of identity and authority. The Enlightenment was challenging traditional hierarchies and the old guard sought to shore up their legitimacy through associations with a more glorious past, so institutions like the royal print workshop played a role in defining and disseminating the values of the Spanish crown. To truly understand this image, we need to consider not just its aesthetic qualities, but also its role in the political landscape of its time.