Artwork

Title Page for D. De Aedo y Gallert, El...Viaje del Infante Cardenal...

Title Page for D. De Aedo y Gallert, El...Viaje del Infante Cardenal..., by Ignatius Cornelis Marinus, ink, 1635
Title Page for D. De Aedo y Gallert, El...Viaje del Infante Cardenal..., by Ignatius Cornelis Marinus, ink, 1635

Title Page for D. De Aedo y Gallert, El...Viaje del Infante Cardenal... is an ink print by the Baroque artist Ignatius Cornelis Marinus. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The title page for D.

About this work

Overview

The title page for D. De Aedo y Gallert’s *El Memorable y Glorioso Viaje del Infante Cardenal D. Fernando de Austria* is an engraving executed on laid paper in 1635 by Ignatius Cornelis Marinus. It serves as the frontispiece for the travel narrative, presenting the work’s subject in a formal, decorative format typical of early‑modern printed books.

Subject & Meaning

The central inscription announces the celebrated journey of the Infante Cardinal Fernando of Austria, a member of the Habsburg dynasty. By foregrounding his title and the notion of a "memorable and glorious" expedition, the image reinforces the political and religious prestige of the royal traveler, aligning his voyage with notions of honor and divine favor.

Technique & Style
The composition is framed by elaborate scrollwork, and two allegorical figures—clad in armor and ceremonial robes—support a banner bearing the title.

Marinus employed a fine‑line engraving technique, incising intricate details into a copper plate before transferring the image to paper. The composition is framed by elaborate scrollwork, and two allegorical figures—clad in armor and ceremonial robes—support a banner bearing the title. Above, a heraldic shield displays a crown and an architectural motif, all rendered with the dramatic chiaroscuro and ornamental richness characteristic of the Baroque period.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑seventeenth century, the print was originally bound to the first edition of De Aedo y Gallert’s travel account. Surviving copies are found in several European library collections, indicating the work’s distribution among scholarly and aristocratic circles. The engraving bears Marinus’s signature, confirming his role as the printmaker.

Context

Printed in the Dutch Republic, the frontispiece reflects the era’s cross‑cultural exchange between the Spanish Habsburg court and Northern European publishing houses. The use of allegorical figures and heraldic imagery aligns the work with contemporary practices of glorifying royal patrons through visual propaganda in printed media.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.