Charles V, 1500-1558, King of Spain 1516-1556, Holy Roman Emperor 1519 [obverse]

Hans Reinhart the Elder

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture is a round medallion featuring a raised relief portrait of a bearded man with a distinctive profile wearing richly decorated garments. The subject appears to be holding a scepter in his right hand and is adorned in an intricately patterned, layered robe. The medallion is bronze or brass in color. Encircling the subject is a ring of finely engraved text. Relative to a viewer, the artwork is small and includes a loop at the top for potential suspension.