Cornelis Martin (1567-1621) - Baldovino dalla Scure — Les genealogies

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical and ceremonial portrait of Baldovino VII of Flanders, historically known as Baldovino the Axe (indicated at the bottom as Bavdvin a la hache, 12e Comte), inserted in the volume Les genealogies, et anciennes descentes des forestiers et comtes de Flandre, published in Antwerp around 1580 by the Flemish scholar Cornelis Martin. The scene shows the Count full-length, dressed in a long dark robe lined with white fur, a conspicuous green hood or turban on his head and a dagger hanging at his belt. With his right hand he rests on a staff or axe, while on his left arm he bears the heraldic shield with the ancient lozenge alternating white and blue with a central red shield. On the ground to the right lie a feathered armor helmet in red and blue and the armor gauntlets. Of remarkable narrative impact is the background on the left side, which abandons the classic landscape view to illustrate the stern and inflexible justice that earned the count his famous nickname: there is indeed depicted an imposing gibbet from which several condemned hang, testifying to his ruthless struggle against thieves, brigands and rebellious nobles to restore public peace in his territories. The plate, originally designed by painter Pieter Baltens and printed with extraordinary graphic precision, bears at the top the heading "Le dovziesme Conte de Flandre" next to page number 77 and plate number 12 at the bottom right, with the typographic signature L 2 in the lower margin. The excellence of the specimen is magnificently completed by a refined contemporaneous watercolor coloring done entirely by hand, which enhances the garments and the historiographic value of the composition. Dimensions 18 x 26 cm Will be shipped by courier

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