Portrait of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria, on horseback (ca. 1630–54)
Original title: Portrait of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria, on horseback
kurzbeschreibung
Created between about 1630 and 1654, Anton van der Does's engraving shows Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria on horseback. This formal equestrian portrait dates from the era of the Thirty Years' War and survives in the first of two states.
Description
The cardinal-infante sits astride a rearing horse, its forelegs lifted and head thrust high in lively motion. The rider wears a formal jacket and breeches, and his right hand holds a sword. Two angels looking toward the sky appear alongside a landscape with trees and buildings. Latin inscriptions line the lower edge. The arrangement is symmetrical, with horse and rider at the center and light falling evenly.
Context
Anton van der Does, a Flemish engraver, was active roughly between 1630 and 1650. Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria (1609–1641) served as governor of the Spanish Netherlands and was regarded as a major commander of the Thirty Years' War. Equestrian portraits of this kind served princely representation and emphasized military leadership.
Impact
The horse's rearing pose and the drawn sword create a powerful, dynamic presence. The symmetrical layout and even lighting give the sheet a calm, dignified air characteristic of Baroque ruler portraits.
Technique
Engraving is an intaglio process in which lines are cut into a metal plate. The sheet measures 47.9 × 31.5 cm and is the first of two states, suggesting an early printing phase.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)