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

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical and ceremonial portrait of Robert II of Flanders, known as Robert the Younger or the Gerolosimitano (indicated at the bottom as Robert le Ievne Fryson, 11e 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-length, in a solemn high-status pose, not dressed in battle armor but in an elegant civilian outfit typical of late medieval nobility, consisting of a rich gray gown trimmed with fur, red sleeves, and a distinctive and voluminous soft hat with a long tail that falls over the shoulder. With his right hand, Robert grips the hilt of a large parade sword inserted in its dark scabbard that rests directly on the ground, while with his left hand he elegantly lifts a corner of his cloak, adjacent to a heraldic shield displaying the same geometric radiating emblem alternately white and blue with a central red shield.

The background is finely divided into two evocative landscape views, showing on the left a fortified river city lapped by a watercourse and crowned by a dome, while on the right rises an impressive Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with a small rural village perched on the hills, symbols of order and Christian faith protected by his rule.

The plate, originally drawn by the painter Pieter Baltens and impressed with extraordinary graphic definition, bears at the top the inscription "Le vnziesme Conte de Flandre" next to the page number 75 and the plate number 11 at the bottom right. The quality of the copy is magnificently completed by a refined contemporary watercolor coloring executed entirely by hand, which gives a vibrant saturation to the warm fabrics of the garments and a soft depth to the naturalistic details of the background.

Dimensions 18 x 26 cm
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