Cornelis Martin (1567-1621) - Filippo l'Ardito e Margherita di Fiandra — Les genealogies, et anciennes descentes des Comtes de - 1580

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical portrait and ceremonial image of Philip II of Burgundy, called the Bold (listed at the bottom as Philippe le Hardy, 26th Count), depicted together with his consort Margaret III of Flanders, 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 in full figure in a martial pose, entirely clad in splendid plate armor with spurs and a sword at his side, while he grips in his right hand a staff of command. Beside him, Countess Margaret is dressed in a refined Renaissance damask gown, completed by a long blue mantle and a crown resting upon a light veil. The two spouses jointly support a large central heraldic shield that displays in four quarters the emblems of the House of Burgundy (the lilies of France with an indented border and the golden and blue bands). At the Count’s feet, laid on the ground to the left, rests an imposing tournament helm enriched by a high plume colored red and blue, flanked by gauntlets. The background features a deep hilly landscape opening to either side of the figures, showing on the left a towering medieval fortress perched with cylindrical conical towers and on the right a village facing a body of water. The plate, originally drawn by the painter Pieter Baltens and engraved with extraordinary calcographic definition, bears at the top the inscription “Le vintesixiesme Conte de Flandre” beside the page number 105 and the plate number 26 at the bottom right. The excellence of the specimen is magnificently complemented by a refined contemporaneous watercolor coloring executed entirely by hand, which enhances the shading of the sky, the brilliance of the armor and the rich tones of the dukes’ garments." Dimensions 18 x 26 cm It will be shipped by courier