Ferdinand of Austria on Horseback
c. 1641
Medium
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image: 45 × 32.3 cm (17 3/4 × 12 3/4 in.); Plate: 48.3 × 32.7 cm (19 1/16 × 12 7/8 in.); Sheet: 48.7 × 33.2 cm (19 3/16 × 13 1/8 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
223281
Art Historical Context
This striking engraving by Paul Pontius, created around 1641, presents Archduke Ferdinand of Austria as a commanding figure on horseback. The equestrian portrait format, popular in the Baroque era, emphasizes themes of authority and leadership. Pontius, a skilled Flemish printmaker, translated a painted composition into a reproducible format that allowed wider audiences to encounter the image. The work is executed as an engraving in black ink on ivory laid paper, a technique prized for its ability to capture fine lines and dramatic contrasts. Measuring roughly 45 by 32 centimeters in the imag...