Portrait of Charles V

Engraving, circa 1556, signed (when complete) at the bottom with the monogram “F H”.

From Portraits of European Rulers published by Hieronymus Cook in Antwerp.

This is one of a series of 39 (?) portraits in ovals, engraved by Pieter van der Heyden and Frans Huys (Hollstein 92-118). Most of these portraits are engraved two on a plate, but the pairs have almost always been cut apart.

This portrait of Charles V it’s cut to the borderline with with loss of the name of the King, the artist's monogram, and the ornamental frame.

Frans Huys (Antwerp, c. 1522 - 1562) was a South Holland engraver and draughtsman. A document from 1546 shows that he was master of the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke, as he had a partner. He worked for Antwerp publishers Hieronymus Cock, Hans Liefrinck I, who was his brother-in-law, and Bartholomeus de Momper. His earliest work dates from 1555. His work consisted exclusively of engravings and reproduced only the works of other artists. He was strongly influenced by Italian engraving, probably through Giorgio Ghisi, with whom he collaborated. Huys engraved a large number of portraits of rulers of his time, humorous genre pieces modeled after Cornelis Massys, and engravings based on drawings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

A fine impression, printed on contemporary laid paper, trimmed to the borderline, in good condition.

Rare.

Literature

Joris van Grieken, in J. van Grieken - G. Luijten - J. van der Stock, "Hieronymus Cock: The Renaissance in Print", exh.cat. Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels and Fondation Custodia in Paris, New Haven and London, 2013, cat.no.87.