Cornelis Martin (1567-1621) - Carlo I di Fiandra — Les genealogies, et anciennes descentes des Comtes de Flandre - 1580

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical portrait and apparatus of Charles I of Flanders, who has gone down in history as the Good (indicated at the bottom as Charles le Bon, 13e 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 inside a monumental Renaissance architecture, dressed in a sumptuous blue tunic edged with ermine, a wide rose-colored cloak and a tall dark hat on his head, while he holds in his left hand a gilded scepter with a flower finial, symbol of legitimate power. On the right, above a large classical base, stands the heraldic shield with the traditional radiating geometric motif alternated in white and blue with a central red escutcheon. The background to the left is animated by a greyhound standing and by a dramatic narrative scene that illustrates the famous and violent martyrdom of the sovereign, attacked by a company of conspirators armed with swords while he kneeled in prayer before the altar of the church of Saint Donaziano in Bruges in 1127. The plate, originally drawn by the painter Pieter Baltens and impressed with extraordinary calcographic precision, bears at the top the heading "Le troisiesme Conte de Flandre" beside the page number 79 and at the bottom right the plate number 13. The excellence of the specimen is magnificently complemented by a refined contemporary watercolor coloring, executed entirely by hand, which gives superb emphasis to the golden textures of the vestments, to the drama of the martyrdom scene, and to the vivid chromaticity of the heraldic emblem.

Dimensions 18 x 26 cm
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