A wonderfully detailed and charismatic portrait, Anthony van Dyck Ernestine Princess de Ligne, c. 1645 illustrates the technical mastery and artistic vision of Van Dyck. Ernestine, Princesse de Ligne's stately yet approachable expression reflects Van Dyck's refined ability to comfort and relax his subjects, resulting in a realistic and acute portrait. Ernestine, Princess of Ligne and Contessa of Arenberg was wife to Jean III, Count of Nassau-Siegen. Van Dyck depicts this royal woman as a grandiose female figure, her expression calm if not somewhat solemn. She appears slightly older than other females in this series with hair harshly pulled back rather than falling in loose curls as her shoulders. She dons an elaborately laced garment fit for a princess while large pearls drape around her neck, clearly emphasizing her status as royalty.

This portrait is a Mauquoy-Hendrickx State III (of III) engraved by Michael Natalis 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 "Antonius van Dyck pinxit," in the lower center "Michael Natalis sculpit," and in the lower right of the plate "execudit Antverpi?." Beneath the engraved portrait is the inscription: ERNESTINA PRINCEPS LIGNEANA ET STI IMPERII, COMES NASSAVIA. ETCA.

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. 144 on pg. 187.

2) Mauquoy-Hendrickx. L'Iconographie d'Antoine Van Dyck: Catalogue Raisonne II. Bruxelles: Bibliotheque Royale Albert I, 1991. Illustrated as catalogue no. 144 on pg. 88.

3) A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:

Framed to archival museum grade conservation standards, Anthony van Dyck Ernestine Princess de Ligne, c. 1645 is framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.