Karl I von Anjou an der Leiche Manfreds by Carl Rahl - War and Death

Karl I von Anjou an der Leiche Manfreds

Karl I von Anjou an der Leiche Manfreds nach der Schlacht von Benevent am 26, Februar 1266 c1838 by Austrian Painter Carl Rahl (1812 – 1865); a portrait and historical painter as well as a professor of art; son of engraver Carl Heinrich Rahl (1779 – 1843).

This is a powerful scene filled with the sorrows of war, depicting Charles I of Anjou, France over the dead body of King Manfred of Sicily after the major medieval Battle of Benevento on February 26, 1266.

The battle resulted in Charles I conquering the Kingdom of Sicily, which effectively ended the rule of the Hohenstaufen dynasty in the Italian Peninsula and marked the rise of the Royal Capetian House of Anjou.

The painting shows the two opposing forces looking over the corpse of Manfred is shown unclothed laying on a white cloth on the ground with part of the cloth covering his genitalia; with one man lifting up his torso while another man kneel by the dead kings body and weeps; as the light of heaven shines on the corpse.

Karl I. von Anjou an der Leiche Manfreds by Carl Rahl Remastered Xzendor7 Classical Art Old Masters Reproductions iPad Case & Skin

As the soldiers look with disbelief at the dead king; Charles I on his black stallion looks down at the lifted up corpse of King Manfred to ensure it is the dead king; while one of Charles I soldiers looking up to him, points to Manfred with his left hand; while holding his silver crown with right hand.

Also beside the dead king is the kings dead flag bearer, who is laying on a red cloak with his helmet cast to the side, and his horse laying on the lower portion of his body with open eyes; raising the question on whether the horse is alive or also dead.

In the background on the right we can see the troops of Charles I with spears standing on small hill and behind them dark ominous clouds that transition to white and yellow, then to a blue sky on the right, that are positioned over the troops of Manfred and a mountain, which transitions to a castle.

This is a remastered digital art old masters reproduction of a public domain image that is available as a canvas print online.

Battle of Benevento Reference Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Benevento