Ferdinand van Spoelberch.

2 copperplates, 22,7 x 18,7 cm (image plate), 4,6 x 18,8 cm (text plate), signed at bottom: "Alex(ande)r a Fornenbergh delin. AVDoes sculp.", on oval: "FERDINANDUS A SPOELBERGH; TOPARCHA LOVANIOLI.", Latin text at top, Dutch text at bottom (image plate galvanised and varnished on recto to give back its copper colour).

Good condition.

Portrait of Ferdinand van Spoelberch (1596-1675), Lord of Lovenjoel, Knight of the Supreme Order of Christ and military commander during the Eighty Years' War. Engraved by Antony van der Does (1609-1680) after Alexander van Fornenberg (fl. 1621-1663), who also wrote the poem at bottom: "'T gansch' menschelyck begryp, begrêep nooyt eenigh mensch; / Maer: die naest 't liefdigh wit, van alle konst wil raken, / Die doel syn oogen-schicht (het is myn hooghste wensch) / Op 't wesen, hier vertoont; want die syn gunst kan naken, / Heeft hop' om 't SPOELigh nat, van wysheyds BERGH te smaken." Impressions of this portrait are rare. Not in Amsterdam, Antwerp, London, but one in Brussels (KBR, inv. S.II 82554). The lot includes a reproduction of the impression in Brussels.
Ref. Not in Hollstein.