Cornelis Martin (1567-1621) - Filippo d'Alsazia

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical portrait and display of Philip of Alsace, here registered under his title as the sixteenth Count of Flanders (shown at the bottom as Philippe Dalsace, 16e Comte), included 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 sovereign full-length in a proud martial pose on the battlefield, entirely clad in plate armor with gilded greaves and knee-guards, topped by a surcoat displaying the famous black rampant lion on a gold field, the historical emblem adopted by Philip himself. In his right hand he holds a large tournament lance with a coordinated pennant, while with his left arm he supports a heraldic shield bearing the same rampant lion and, at the same time, rests his hand on a second shield beneath, characterized by the traditional checkered motif of white and blue with a red circular escutcheon. The background offers a spectacular and tumultuous war view, dominated on the left by a fortified port city with moored ships and dense ranks of pikemen, while on the right unfolds a dramatic cavalry charge in battle under a cloudy sky. The plate, originally drawn by the painter Pieter Baltens and printed with extraordinary graphic precision, bears at the top the heading “Le seiziesme Conte de Flandre.” next to page number 85, while at the bottom center appears the typographic mark M 2 and in the lower corner of the engraved mirror the plate number 16.. The excellence of the specimen is magnificently enhanced by a refined contemporaneous watercolor coloring carried out entirely by hand. Dimensions 18 x 26 cm It will be shipped by courier

Estimate:£169.44

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