Who painted Count Nicolas Zrinyi?

Count Nicolas Zrinyi was painted by Mathis Zündt in 1535.

Where can I see Count Nicolas Zrinyi?

Count Nicolas Zrinyi is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Count Nicolas Zrinyi?

Count Nicolas Zrinyi is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Count Nicolas Zrinyi

Mathis Zündt , 1535

Count Nicolas Zrinyi is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Mathis Zündt. It dates from 1535 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1535, this etching presents a portrait of the Hungarian nobleman Nicolas Zrinyi.

About this work

Overview

A block of explanatory text runs along the lower margin, framing the composition as both a likeness and a visual record of the sitter’s domain.

Created in 1535, this etching presents a portrait of the Hungarian nobleman Nicolas Zrinyi. The figure stands in elaborate armor topped by a tall, feather‑adorned hat, while a sprawling landscape map occupies the left background, dotted with castles, rivers, and miniature battle scenes. A block of explanatory text runs along the lower margin, framing the composition as both a likeness and a visual record of the sitter’s domain.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is the bearded Count Nicolas Zrinyi, a prominent military leader of 16th‑century Hungary. The inclusion of a detailed topographical map and tiny depictions of combat suggests an intention to emphasize his territorial authority and martial achievements, turning the portrait into a narrative of power and stewardship rather than a simple likeness.

Technique & Style

Matthias Zündt employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a metal plate to achieve crisp delineation of armor, feathered hat and landscape elements. The sharp, cross‑hatching creates texture on the metallic surfaces, while the intricate background details demonstrate the artist’s skill in rendering complex scenes within a relatively small print format.

History & Provenance

German engraver Matthias Zündt, active in Nuremberg between 1498 and 1586, produced a range of portraits, religious subjects, allegories and heraldic designs. This particular work, dated 1535, reflects his reputation for combining portraiture with elaborate symbolic settings, and it remains a representative example of his printmaking output during the early Reformation period.