Aegidius Sadeler II (1570-1629) - Matthias Emperor - 1614

Aegidius Sadeler II (1570-1629) - Matthias Emperor - 1614 Impressive elaborate large Portrait of Emperor Matthias, bust to right on a pedestal, surrounded by a garland containing ten medallions with portraits of Emperors, including Rudolph II and Maximillian II. The Allegorical Portrait of the Hapsburg Emperor Matthias is a large, extravagant composition, full of political iconography and playful illusionism. The naturalistic likeness of Matthias is set upon a fictive sculpted bust with draped shoulders and pedestal. The composition is embedded with personifications, beginning with two figures representing Wisdom and Fortitude who carry flags with the emperor's emblems at the upper corners. At top center, cherubs carry the imperial crown down from heaven, while the Three Graces shower flowers and gold upon the emperor. At the sides, figures of Mercury and Minerva, posed like the famed statues of the Dioscuri in Rome, tame Pegasus (a common symbol of Virtue) and spear the dragon of Religious Heresy. Below, the diverse subjects of the empire and its Turkish foes kneel in homage. 56,40 x 40,00 cm A good but trimmed impression with lower part with tablet and text line cut of. Mounted on a support sheet and framed. Minory defects but mainly very good. Hollstein / Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts c.1450-1700 (310) Engraving 1614 1500