Cornelis Martin (1567-1621) - Arnolfo il Semplice

This magnificent copper engraving constitutes the historical and ceremonial portrait of Arnolfo the Simple, here recorded under his title as ninth Count of Flanders (indicated at the bottom as Arnoul Le Simple 9e Comte), inserted in the volume Les genealogies, et anciennes descentes des forestiers et comtes de Flandre, published in Antwerp around 1580 by the Flemish scholar Cornelis Martin. The scene shows the noble, full-length, in a proud martial pose of a commander, entirely clad in a suit of metal plate armor that covers the limbs, completed by a rich red jerkin or coat with gold trim and a striking belt decorated with metal studs. On his head he wears a blue and white headdress, while a conspicuous blue shoulder strap crosses his chest. With his gloved right hand he holds aloft a war sword placed vertically, while on the left arm he bears the traditional heraldic shield gheronato in white and blue with a red circular escutcheon at the center, topped by a red ornamental ribbon. The background offers a broad and evocative coastal view, showing a gulf cradled by hills, fortified villages perched in the distance, and a sailing ship gliding the waters on the right, beneath a sky streaked with clouds. The plate, originally drawn by the painter Pieter Baltens and printed with extraordinary intaglio definition, bears at the top the heading “Le nevfiesme Conte de Flandre.” next to page number 71, while at the bottom right appears the typographic imprint K 3 and in the lower corner of the engraved surface the plate number 9. The specimen’s value is magnificently enhanced by a finely executed contemporaneous watercolor coloring, done entirely by hand. Dimensions 18 x 26 cm It will be shipped by courier

Estimation:€200

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