[Ferdinand, Brother of Philip IV of Spain] Ferdinandus, Philippi IV frater, Hispaniarum Infans Serenissimus, S.R.E. Cardinalis Et Belgarum Gubernatur

Book Description

Haarlem: Published by Pieter Soutman, circa 1644. Mixed method, engraving and etching. Printed on fine laid paper, with a watermark of a sun. In excellent condition. Image size: 15 11/16 x 10 ¾ inches. 16 x 11 1/8 inches. 20 7/16 x 15 inches. A magnificent portrait of , from a series of portraits of the Hapsburg royals published by Pieter Soutman. This stunning portrait is from a suite of engravings published by Pieter Claesz Soutman. Executed by some of the most noted seventeenth century engravers, the suite is a lavish series of portraits of the Hapsburg dynasty. A prolific engraver and publisher, Soutman began his career as a painter in Ruben's studio. In 1628 he returned to Haarlem and founded his own workshop. This fine portrait of Ferdinand is a beautiful example from this important series. Cardinal - Infante (Prince) Ferdinand (1609/10 - 1641) was son of Philip III of Spain. He was promised to the church, as it were, and was made Archbishop of Toledo when he was ten. He was later made a Cardinal. In 1630, his aunt chose him as her successor as Governor of the Spanish Netherlands. In order to accept the post, Ferdinand planned to travel overland from Genoa through Lombardy, Tyrol, Swabia and then down the Rhine to Brussels (the powerful Dutch Navy made it too dangerous to travel by sea). In 1633, he set out with a small army. At this time, southwestern Germany was being overrun by the Swedish, and meeting with his cousin Ferdinand, King of Hungary and his army, they decided to fight. This led to a great Catholic victory at Nördlingen. Ferdinand continued on to Brussels and took up his duties as Governor General. There he was compelled to fight almost continuously with the French and Dutch. After some successes, he endured several losses including Breda. He died in 1641 at the age of 32. His body was brought back to Spain in 1643 where 12,000 Requiems were said for his benefit, as he had requested. Hollestein, Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings, and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700 Vol XXVII, p. 206, no. 6, state i; Benezit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs

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