Philip IV, King of Spain, plate 12 from Duces Burgundiae (Dukes of Burgundy)
1644
Medium
Engraving and etching in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Plate: 40.7 × 28 cm (16 1/16 × 11 1/16 in.); Sheet: 46.3 × 33.4 cm (18 1/4 × 13 3/16 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
140636
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Although the reign of King Philip IV of Spain (1605–65) was plagued by political and military decay, the king is perhaps best known for his patronage of the arts, which included many portrait commissions from Peter Paul Rubens. In this etching made by Jacob Louys after a portrait by Rubens, rich decorations of fruit, vegetables, and a wreath of acanthus leaves surround the lavishly costumed king. The artist further identified Philip with his royal lineage by featuring his rather prominent and pr...