Emperor Charles V as patron of the visual arts

Abstract

The art commissions of Charles V about which we have sorne detailed information do not support recent claims that he was an active patron who had a personal impact on the visual arts and used them to fashion his own «imperial image». The works «he ordered made» can often be described as «titular» or «institutional» rather than personal commissions. The initial ímpetus usually carne from vassals and the works were almost always supervised and determined in style and in specific form by others. The few commissions he clearly initiated and supervised do not reveal a personal aesthetics nor an image-making intent. That was left to his subjects.