Antique Master Print-CHARLEMAIGN-SAINT CHARLES THE GREAT-KING-Wierix-c.1650

This print shows a view on a portrait of Charles the Great (Carolus Magnus), the legendary king of the Franks and the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He wears a halo crown and holds a sceptre in his right hand and an orb (symbol of world domination) in his left. At the top right is a divided coat of arms, with the French lilies (Fleur-de-lis) on one side and the imperial eagle on the other. A church building is depicted in the background on the right, which probably refers to the Palatinate Chapel in Aachen (today’s Aachen Cathedral), which he had built himself. Translation of latin text: “He was the Emperor of the Romans and King of the Franks, spread the Orthodox religion in Germania, and died in the year 814 at the age of 72 in Aachen (Aquisgrani), where he is buried in the Marian Basilica he founded.”

Made by Hieronymus Wierix after Maerten de Vos.

Medium: Engraving on hand laid (vergé) paper.

Sheet size: 16 x 26 cm (6.3 x 10.24 inch). Image size: 13 x 17.5 cm. (5.12 x 6.89 inch).

Condition: good, given age. Brownish stain. Remains of paper tape on reverse. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

PORTRAIT-SAINT CHARLES THE GREAT-KING OF FRANKS-EMPEROR ROMAN EMPIRE | RBOS-A11-11

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This attractive print was published by Peter Firens (1604-1671) French publisher/printer; printmaker. Ca 1650.

Biography engraver: Hieronymus Wierix (1553-1619), one of the three brothers, all engravers. Active in Antwerp.

Biography artist: Maarten de Vos (1532-1603), Antwerp-born painter and designer, prolific draftsman for religious series, whose work influenced a generation of Northern printmakers.