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

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical and ceremonial portrait of Guido di Dampierre, Count of Flanders and Marquis of Namur (indicated at the bottom as Gyv de Dampierre, 22e Comte), depicted together with his two consorts, Matilde di Bethune and Isabella of Luxembourg, 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 the center, full-length, dressed in a sumptuous red tunic lined with white fur and a distinctive and imposing Renaissance headdress draped. With his right hand he grasps the hand of his first wife, placed to his left, while on his left arm he bears an heraldic shield displaying the famous black rampant lion on a gold field, the historical symbol of the County of Flanders. The two noblewomen at his sides wear refined period costumes finely decorated, enhanced by light veils and, in the case of the wife on the right, by a tall and elegant conical headdress (hennin) typical of late medieval nobility. The background, barely hinted at on the sides, reveals a deep Flemish hilly landscape with a small building on the left edge. The plate, originally drawn by the painter Pieter Baltens and printed with extraordinary the calcographic definition, bears at the top the heading "Le vintedevxziesme Conte de Flandre" next to page number 79 and the plate number 22 at the bottom right. The excellence of the specimen is magnificently completed by a refined contemporaneous watercolor coloration, executed entirely by hand, which gives great emphasis to the warm tones of the garments and to the golden details of the heraldry.

Dimensions 18 x 26 cm
It will be shipped by means of a courier