Standard Bearer

<p>Prince Rupert’s <em>Standard Bearer</em>, also known as <em>Young David</em> or <em>Great Lansquenet</em>, is one of his first dated mezzotints, created the same year Rupert engraved his <em>Great Executioner</em>. <em> Standard Bearer</em> demonstrates the pitfalls of reproducing Old Masters instead of newer paintings with clear authorship: most were attributed incorrectly, including this former “Giorgione.” Likewise, Valentine Green fancifully <a href="https://www.artic.edu/artworks/45082"> reproduced</a> a Rembrandt self-portrait as an image of Rupert himself in 1775; Green’s skill nonetheless convinced Charles Theodore, current Prince and Count Palatinate, to appoint him his official mezzotint engraver.</p>