Portrait of Elisabeth of Bourbon, Queen of Spain (ca. 1632–44)
Original title: Portrait of Elisabeth of Bourbon, Queen of Spain
kurzbeschreibung
Elisabeth of Bourbon, Queen of Spain, appears in this engraving by Pieter de Jode II, made around 1632–44. Rich garments and jewellery emphasise her royal status. The trimmed sheet measures 16.6 × 11.2 cm.
Description
Elisabeth of Bourbon meets the viewer's gaze in a frontal, half-length portrait. A full collar trimmed with ruffles—a hallmark of seventeenth-century fashion—frames her décolletage. Her thick, curly hair is threaded with pearls; several necklaces and a cross point to her high rank and her piety. The plain background pushes the queen entirely to the fore. Below the portrait, an inscription gives her name and date of birth.
Context
Elisabeth of Bourbon (1602–1644), daughter of the French king Henry IV, married the Spanish king Philip IV in 1615. The Flemish engraver Pieter de Jode II worked in Antwerp and Paris. This portrait was made in an age when printed graphics circulated rulers' likenesses across Europe. The added text “nata 1602. 22 Novemb.” states her birth date and hints at the print's biographical purpose.
Impact
Precise linework and an exact rendering of fabrics and jewellery give the engraving an air of power and elegance. The calm, frontal arrangement and the unadorned background draw the eye to the queen's face. The result is a distant yet dignified, representative presence.
Technique
In an engraving, the image is incised into a copper plate and then printed on paper. Fine lines and hatching create a sculptural effect and bring out the texture of clothing and hair. The later trimming of the sheet suggests it was used as a book illustration or a single-leaf print.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)