Cornelis Martin (1567-1621) - Carlo il Temerario, XXIX Conte di Fiandra — Les genealogies, et anciennes descentes des Comtes de - 1580

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical portrait and ceremonial image of Charles the Bold (here recorded with the epithet Charles the Worker, Charles Le Travaillant, 29th Count), duke of Burgundy, 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 sovereign in full figure in a bold martial pose on the battlefield, entirely clothed in plate armor with mail around the neck and a helmet crowned by a conspicuous blue plume. With his right hand resting on his hip, he grasps the hilt of the sword set in a dark scabbard, while with the left arm he supports an imposing heraldic shield quarterly showing the arms of modern Burgundy, ancient Burgundy, Bourbon, and the rampant lion of Flanders, surrounded by a red and white checkered border. At his feet, laid on the ground beside a broken spear, appears a second tournament helmet crowned and plumed. The background offers a convulsed and detailed war scene showing a fierce cavalry charge and a clash of troops outside the walls of a fortified city on the left, while on the right military encampments with blue and red tents can be seen. The plate, originally drawn by the painter Pieter Baltens and printed with extraordinary intaglio definition, bears at the top the inscription “Le vintenevfiesme Conte de Flandre” next to page number 111, while at the bottom center the typographic signature P 3 and in the lower left corner of the engraved plate the plate number 29.. The quality of the copy is magnificently complemented by a refined contemporaneous watercolor coloring executed entirely by hand.

Dimensions 18 x 26 cm
Will be shipped by courier