Bust of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II
by VRIES, Adriaen de, Bronze, height 112 cm
Adriaen de Vries became court sculptor of Rudolf II (1552-1612) in 1601 and created this bust as a conscious citation of Leone Leoni’s bust of Charles V. In comparison with this model, however, this portrayal has a slight twist, and by elevating Rudolf’s gaze this ruler (who was actually shy) is endowed with a majestic dignity.