Cornelis Martin (1567-1621) - Roberto il Frisone Fiandre — Les genealogies, et anciennes descentes des Comtes de Flandre - 1580

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical and ceremonial portrait of Robert I of Flanders, known as Robert the Frisian (listed at the bottom as Robert de Frise, 10e 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 count in full figure in a solemn pose as a condottiere, with a stern gaze and armor of metal plate topped by a heraldic surcoat decorated with the alternating radiating geometric pattern in white and blue, reviving the ancient coat of arms of the first Counts of Flanders known as Ancien blason de Flandre. With his left hand, Robert grasps the hilt of a formidable war sword that rests on the ground, tied to a shield that displays the same heraldic geometric emblem with a central red shield, while with the right hand he firmly grips the command staff. The composition is balanced on the left by a sophisticated medieval fortress enclosed by crenellated walls and conical towers piercing the sky, a clear visual symbol of feudal power and the defense of his stable possessions. The plate, originally drawn by the painter Pieter Baltens (Pierre Balthasar) and struck with extraordinary printmaking definition, bears at the top the inscription "Le dixiesme Conte de Flandre" next to page number 73. The rarity of the copy is magnificently completed by a delicate contemporaneous watercolor hand-coloring, applied entirely by hand, which gives vibrant saturation to the fabrics and details of the armor, and also preserves along the lower margin ancient handwritten notes in ink from past collections. Dimensions 18 x 26 cm It will be shipped by means of courier.