Portrait of Elisabeth of Bourbon, Queen of Spain (ca. 1650–1700)
Original title: Portrait of Elisabeth of Bourbon, Queen of Spain
kurzbeschreibung
An anonymous engraving from between 1650 and 1700 shows Elisabeth of Bourbon, Queen of Spain. The ruler appears in costly garments covered with dense embroidery and multiple strands of pearls; her hair is elaborately styled and also set with pearls. This sheet is an unaltered copy after a lost original.
Description
Within an oval frame, the queen appears, flanked by curtains and an opening that reveals a window. Her dress is covered with embroidery, and several pearl necklaces emphasize her rank. Pearls adorn her styled hair. Latin text below the portrait names the sitter and confirms her identity.
Context
Elisabeth of Bourbon (1602–1644) was the first wife of Philip IV of Spain and thus Queen of Spain. The portrait belongs to the Baroque era, when representative ruler portraits were widely circulated. The engraving presumably copies an older painting or another print. Exactly what purpose the sheet served is unknown; it probably helped spread the royal likeness.
Impact
Magnificent clothing and pearls give the portrait an air of majesty and wealth. The richness of detail and the oval frame create a solemn, official impression that underscores the queen's high social standing.
Technique
Engraving cuts the motif into a copper plate, from which impressions are then taken on paper. Fine, precisely guided lines capture the intricate details of dress and jewelry. As a copy, the print reproduces another print or a painting.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)