Anthony van Dyck, Christian, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, c. 1645 |
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| Artist: | Anthony van Dyck (1599 - 1641) |
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| Title: | Christian, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, c. 1645 |
| Medium: | Original Engraving |
| Image Size: | 9 3/4 in x 7 in (24.8 cm x 17.8 cm) |
| Sheet Size: | 11 3/4 in x 8 3/4 in (29.8 cm x 22.2 cm) |
| Framed Size: | approx. 23 in x 20 in (58.4 cm x 50.8 cm) |
| Edition: | A Mauquoy-Hendrickx State II (of II), engraved by Robertus van Voerst (1597-1636) in collaboration with Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp, 1559 - London, 1641). |
| Signature: | Signed in the plate 'Ant. van Dyck pinxit', in the lower left; also signed 'Robertus van Voerst fculpsit' in the lower right. |
| Condition: | This work is in excellent condition with full margins. |
| ID # | w-3767 |
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Price on Request
Questions? |
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A wonderfully detailed and charismatic portrait, this exquisite work illustrates the technical mastery and artistic vision of Van Dyck. Christian, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg's stately, yet approachable expression reflects Van Dyck's refined ability to comfort and relax his subjects, resulting in a realistic and acute portrait. Christian was not only the Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg but also the Bishop of Halberstadt and then Bishop of Minden. He very much lived for the love of battle and was a German Protestant military leader during the Thirty Year's War. During this war, he gained the reputation being a dangerous fanatic who was cruel and violent in war, especially in regards to fighting against the Catholic Church. His Catholic opponents gave him the nickname "der Tolle (The Mad)," due to these unnecessary cruelties. Interestingly enough, van Dyck's depiction of Christian does not hint at this nickname in the slightest. Christian appears calm and mild mannered, an almost kind expression on his face as he poses outdoors in front of a tree. He dons body armor, hinting at his military prowess, but does not appear as the type of man that one would fear in battle.
This portrait is a Mauquoy-Hendrickx State II (of II) engraved by Robertus van Voerst (1597-1636) in collaboration with Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp, 1559 - London, 1641) as part of his Iconographie series of engraved portraits of famous people at the time. The plate has been marked in the lower left of the plate "Ant. van Dyck pinxit," and in the lower right "Robertus van Voerst fculpsit." Beneath the engraved portrait is the inscription: CHRISTIANO D. G. POSTVLATO EPO. HALBERSTADIENSI, | DVCI BRVNSVICENSI, ET LVNEBVRGENSI ETC.
DOCUMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED IN:
1) Mauquoy-Hendrickx. L'Iconographie d'Antoine Van Dyck: Catalogue Raisonne I. Bruxelles: Bibliotheque Royale Albert I, 1991. Listed as catalogue no. 186 on pg. 212-13.
2) Mauquoy-Hendrickx. L'Iconographie d'Antoine Van Dyck: Catalogue Raisonne II. Bruxelles: Bibliotheque Royale Albert I, 1991. Illustrated as catalogue no. 186 on pg. 118.
3) A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.
ABOUT THE FRAMING:
Framed to archival museum grade conservation standards, this piece is framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.
