We’re excited to present two newly digitised 3D models of Emperor Charles VI, offering a rare opportunity to explore both the finished marble sculpture and its terracotta counterpart side by side.

Emperor Charles VI in Marble

Sculpted in 1728 by Francesco Robba, the marble bust originally adorned the Triumphal Arch at the city gate (Vicedomska vrata) in Ljubljana, where it remained until 1791. It was later kept at Ljubljana Town Hall and is today preserved at the City Museum of Ljubljana.

The emperor is portrayed in armour, wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece and crowned with a laurel wreath, embodying the authority and symbolism of Baroque imperial portraiture. The 3D model reveals the fine sculptural details of the stone surface, captured through a combination of Artec Leo and Artec Spider scanners, complemented by photogrammetry using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II.

To explore in even higher quality, click here.

Emperor Charles VI in Terracotta

Also dating to 1728 and created by Francesco Robba, the terracotta bust is believed to have served as a model for the marble version. It was originally displayed on the façade of Ljubljana’s Town Hall and is now held by the National Gallery of Slovenia.

Although the bust survives in several fragments, it still preserves essential elements of the composition, including the emperor’s armour, the Order of the Golden Fleece, and the expressive drapery. The terracotta sculpture was digitised using the Artec Leo scanner, allowing these surviving details to be examined closely despite the object’s fragile condition.

To explore in even higher quality, click here.