Beschrijving
The portrait is incorrectly identified as Albert VII, Archduke of Austria. Shown is Ferdinand of Austria (1609/1610-1641). Ferdinand was a Spanish and Portuguese prince (Infante of Spain, Infante of Portugal (until 1640)), Governor of the Spanish Netherlands, Cardinal of the Holy Catholic Church, Archduke of Austria, Archbishop of Toledo (1619-41), and a general during the Thirty Years' War, the Eighty Years' War, and the Franco-Spanish War. He is largely considered to be the best Spanish general of the time with some contemporary sources claiming him to be the last great general of the Spanish Empire. He is as well, one of few generals to be undefeated on the battlefield. (Source: Wikipedia).
Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size 267 x 192 mm. Engraved by Suzanne Silvestre after the painting by Peter Paul Rubens, produced c. 1704-1738.
Suzanne Elizabeth Silvestre (1694-1738) was a French printmaker. She was the daughter of Charles François Silvestre and a sister of Louis de Silvestre ’the younger’ (1675-1760). She married the sculptor Jean Baptiste Lemoyne the elder (1679-1731).
In good condition, cropped within platemark and attached to carrier sheet. Some general soiling in the edges, the image a fine, dark impression.
