“The Last King” is an artwork by Alfred Kubin, created in 1902. The piece belongs to the Symbolism art movement and is classified as a symbolic painting. This movement is characterized by its use of symbolic imagery to express ideas and emotions.
The image shows a monochromatic depiction of a figure, presumably a king due to the crown he wears, seated on a large chair or throne that appears to engulf him. The figure’s posture is slumped, conveying a sense of weariness or perhaps defeat. This figure holds what seems to be a book or document, with his gaze directed downwards at it, suggesting introspection or contemplation. Behind the figure, there is a stylized flame coming from a tall and slender torch stand, which adds to the overall melancholic and dreamlike atmosphere of the artwork. The smoke from the flame curls upwards, creating a contrast with the vertical torch and the seated figure. Surrounding the throne, a series of abstract, decorative patterns or elements are visible, which may imply an audience or setting that is not immediately clear.
Overall, this image might symbolize the end of an era, the loneliness of power, or the contemplative nature of leadership at its decline. Kubin’s style is represented in the etching-like quality and the use of stark contrasts and textured details, providing a sense of both the tangible and the ethereal. The symbolism within the artwork leaves much to the interpretation of the viewer, which is typical of the Symbolist movement.
