Portrait of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria, on horseback 1625 - 1659

Anton van der Does made this print of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria in the 17th century using etching and engraving. We see Ferdinand mounted on a rearing horse above a battle scene, as angels bearing trumpets and draped cloths hover overhead. Prints like this were powerful tools for shaping public perception, particularly in times of conflict. Ferdinand of Austria was Governor of the Spanish Netherlands during the Eighty Years' War, a conflict between the Dutch Republic and the Spanish Empire. This print presents Ferdinand as a triumphant and divinely supported leader. Prints circulated widely, carrying political messages to diverse audiences. The combination of detailed imagery with Latin text aimed to influence both popular and elite opinions. For historians, understanding the context in which such images were created and distributed is crucial. Resources like period documents, letters, and other visual materials can reveal the complex interplay between art, power, and society.