This impressive 19th-century engraving portrays Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a unified Italy and one of the central figures of the Risorgimento. Presented in full military attire, the monarch stands with composed authority, embodying both royal dignity and the martial resolve that defined his reign.
The composition is rich in symbolic detail. Vittorio Emanuele II is shown wearing a decorated uniform adorned with orders and medals, his hand resting on a sword—an unmistakable reference to his role as a soldier-king. The background landscape, with tents and distant troops, evokes the military campaigns that accompanied the unification process, situating the portrait firmly within the political and historical realities of mid-19th-century Italy.
Executed with great technical finesse, the engraving displays the hallmarks of high-quality 19th-century printmaking: subtle gradations of light and shadow, meticulous rendering of fabrics and facial features, and a strong sense of physical presence. The sober tonal range enhances the gravity of the subject, reinforcing the image of a ruler shaped by duty, conflict, and statecraft rather than courtly excess.
Beyond its artistic qualities, this engraving functioned as a powerful tool of political imagery. Portraits of Vittorio Emanuele II circulated widely during and after unification, helping to establish a visual identity for the new Italian nation. They presented the king as a unifying figure capable of bridging regional identities under a single crown.
Today, this original engraving stands as both a historical document and a compelling work of art—highly sought after by collectors interested in European history, royal portraiture, and the visual culture of nation-building in the 19th century.
Engraving
Royalty - Italy
Good condition, soiled
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