DÜRER, Albrecht
The Imperial Crown c. 1510
Pen drawing with watercolour, 238 x 289 mm
Kupferstichkabinett, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg

Artistic Portrayals of Charlemagne

by Sutherland McColley

One wonders what Charlemagne looked like.  As you will see from the following selection of images; Flemish, German, Italian and other artists have had their own vision beginning in 817 to at least 1890.   By far the most prominent of the artists was Albrecht Dűrer who presents the Emperor with the familiar crown.  Most of the paintings portray him an older man with a beard, wearing a crown, on horseback, or holding a scepter and a sword. The images were executed in various media: oil and watercolor paintings, manuscripts, stone or bronze sculpture, frescos, tapestries and coins.

Few images fit the description given in 817 to 836 by his advisor, architect, courtier and biographer Einhard, in "The live of Charlemagne"  in this translation from "Einhardi Vita Karoli Magni", 6th edition, ed. G. Waita, in Monumenta Germaniae Historica:  Scriptores rerum Germanicarum in usum scholarum (Hanover: Hahn, 1911; repr. 1965).

"[Charles] had a large and powerful body.  He was tall [at slightly over six feet or 1.83 meters], but not disproportionately so, since it is known that his height was seven times the length of his own foot.  The crown of his head was round, his eyes were noticeably large and full of life, his nose was a little longer than average, his hair gray and handsome, and his face was attractive and cheerful.  Hence, his physical presence was [always] commanding and dignified, whether he was sitting or standing.  Although his neck seemed short and thick and his stomach seemed to stick out, the symmetry of the other parts [of the body] hid these [flaws]. [When he walked] his pace was strong and the entire body powerful."

Research has revealed several hundred images.  Many had little detailed data as to date, size, etc.   Those reproduced here are all in public collections outside the United States.  Only a few representations are in America.

 

 

Charlemagne with a wife, in a depiction from a manuscript written between 817 and 823.

The Emperor is portrayed in simple Frankish costume which he preferred to wear