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Emperor Matthias

Aegidius Sadeler II Netherlandish
1614
Not on view
During his career as imperial engraver, Sadeler portrayed three emperors. In this richly decorated composition, he has taken the extravagant mannerist, allegorical ornamentation seen in his earlier portrait of Rudolf II (exhibited nearby) to a new extreme. In the upper section, the Three Graces tilt cornucopias to shower the emperor with flowers and gold. To the left of the emperor Mercury tames Pegasus, and on the right Minerva slays the dragon of heresy. Matthias’s head has been depicted naturalistically but he is presented on a pedestal like the sculptural bust of a Roman emperor. Sadeler drew Emperor Matthias’s portrait during a trip to Linz, which he made to reclaim overdue salary.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Emperor Matthias
  • Artist: Aegidius Sadeler II (Netherlandish, Antwerp 1568–1629 Prague)
  • Date: 1614
  • Medium: Engraving
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 26 7/16 x 16 3/8 in. (67.1 x 41.6 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.95.2291
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Madonna and Child with St. John, Aegidius Sadeler II Netherlandish, Engraving
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A Forest with a Rabbit Hunt, Aegidius Sadeler II Netherlandish, Engraving
A Forest with a Rabbit Hunt
Aegidius Sadeler II
Roelandt Savery
n.d.
Joachim Patinir, Aegidius Sadeler II Netherlandish, Engraving
Joachim Patinir
Aegidius Sadeler II
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Madonna and Child, Aegidius Sadeler II Netherlandish, Engraving
Madonna and Child
Aegidius Sadeler II
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)
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Landscape with Gypsy Camp, Aegidius Sadeler II Netherlandish, Engraving; first state
Landscape with Gypsy Camp
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n.d.

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