Charles V. The image of power in the Renaissance

Fernando Checa Goitia

ISBN: 978-84-95241-09-2

Year: 1999

Pages: 376

Illustrations: 276

Binding: hardcover with dust jacket

Size: 30 x 30 cm

Published by: Madrid, Iberdrola and Ediciones El Viso

National Award for the best edited art book 1999 .

This book analyzes how the new image of monarchical power was constructed in the context of the rise of national monarchies in the 16th century, focusing on the figure of Charles V. Through the study of art and iconography, Professor Fernando Checa shows how the representation of the emperor evolved from a youthful image with medieval chivalric influences to a mythical figure based on classical Roman models. This transformation responds both to the complexity of his empire, composed of territories united only by personal ties, and to the imperial court's interest in projecting a universal image of the monarch as heir to the Roman Empire. The work includes a rich selection of illustrations, many of them little-known, that allow us to follow the iconographic evolution of the emperor. In this way, the book offers an in-depth look at the role of art in the construction of power in Renaissance Europe.