Portrait of Emperor Charles V as Ruler of the World

Charles V was the last emperor to have the political power to support his claims that he was the head of the world, the secular counterpart to the pope. He not only ruled the Holy Roman Empire in central Europe, but the Spanish kingdom as well, including the newly discovered territories in the Americas. Here, the emperor is depicted in armor for his fight against the heretics, a battle he was unable to win, as Protestantism prevailed in northern and central Europe. Deeply disappointed, Charles resigned and ended his life in a monastery.

Rubens's posthumous portrait is based on a painting by Parmiggianino that he saw during his time as court painter to the Gonzaga family in Mantua in 1604.