Art, Myth & Old Masters
€ 90
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
condition with moderate age toning and minor foxing in the margins. A faint manuscript mark in the upper margin, not affecting the image. Paper is strong with a wide margins, but left margin is tight to the platemark.
Antique Portrait of Philip IV of Spain – Etching by Houbraken, c.1750
This finely executed 18th-century portrait presents Philip IV of Spain (1605–1655), one of the most powerful monarchs of the Habsburg dynasty, who reigned over an expansive realm that included not only Spain but Portugal (until 1640), the Spanish Netherlands, parts of Italy, and the Americas. The king is depicted in an oval medallion format, wearing the elaborate ceremonial attire of a sovereign, including the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece, of which he was a distinguished knight.
The engraving was created by the Dutch master Jacob Houbraken (1698–1780), one of the foremost portrait engravers of the 18th century, celebrated for his meticulously detailed line work and refined classical style. Houbraken’s portraits were often based on earlier paintings or drawings by anonymous artists, interpreted and engraved with remarkable finesse for inclusion in historical or biographical compendiums.
The caption beneath the image, in Dutch, reads: “Filips de Vierde, Koning van Spagne,” identifying the sitter as Philip IV, King of Spain. The portrait was likely produced for a biographical series, reflecting the period’s intellectual and antiquarian interest in royal lineages and historical figures.
Philip IV’s reign is remembered for both cultural splendor and political challenge. As a great patron of the arts, he supported masters like Diego Velázquez, whose portraits of the king remain iconic. Yet his rule also saw the decline of Spanish imperial power, exacerbated by military overreach and financial strain.
This print holds strong appeal for collectors of royal portraiture, Spanish Habsburg history, and 18th-century Dutch engraving.
Condition: Good condition with moderate age toning and minor foxing in the margins. A faint manuscript mark in the upper margin, not affecting the image. Paper is strong with a wide margins, but left margin is tight to the platemark.
Framing tips: A dark wood or black frame with a cream mount will enhance the clean lines and classical balance of the portrait, while complementing the tonal quality of the print.
Technique: Etching and engraving
Maker: Jacob Houbraken, Netherlands, c.1750
