Portrait of Wladislaus Sigismond, Prince of Poland and Sweden
Original title: Portrait of Wladislaus Sigismond, Prince of Poland and Sweden
kurzbeschreibung
In 1624, Paulus Pontius produced this portrait of Wladislaus Sigismund, Prince of Poland and Sweden. The etching with engraving presents the prince in rich attire featuring ruffles and embroidery; he wears a wide-brimmed hat with a tassel and pearl. His face appears serious.
Description
The prince is dressed in splendid, traditional garments adorned with ruffles and embroidery. On his head sits a broad-brimmed hat decorated with a tassel and a pearl. His expression is grave and thoughtful. Behind him, a curtain and part of a window with a cord and tassel catch the eye.
Context
When this portrait was made in 1624, Wladislaus Sigismund was a significant European ruler as the son of the Polish king and a claimant to the Swedish throne. Paulus Pontius, a Flemish engraver, worked closely with Peter Paul Rubens and was known for his precise likenesses. Two states of the work survive; the present one is the second.
Impact
The nuanced linework and faithful rendering of fabrics and facial features create a solemn, dignified mood. The prince's serious gaze lends the portrait a reflective yet formal tone.
Technique
Etching and engraving are used together, allowing for fine lines and precise shading. The second state (Hollstein) shows the revised version of the print, as was customary for seventeenth-century reproductive graphics in this technique.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)