Plate 28: the arch of ferdinand: rear face; two-tiered structure with lower storey articulated by six columns framing three arches and continued on upper storey with pillasters and statues of male personifications framing a kind of painted triptych; principal picture above central arch represents the triumph of prince ferdinand as he returns from battle in a chariot drawn by horses and surrounded by soldiers bearing the spoils of war and bound prisoners and victory flying behind crowning him with a laurel wreath; two lateral paintings form a quasi-triptych with the centerpiece, on the left royal liberty ('liberalitas regis') and on the right royal providence ('providentia regis'); on either side of the centrepiece stand statues of honour and virtue; flanking the second storey are putti holding garlands with coats of arms and male figures bearing torches; above the main picture are the royal arms of spain guarded by two lions; crowning the pediment is lucifer as the morning star riding a winged horse and holding aloft a scroll; on either side of the gable are two winged and laureated victories holding up inscribed shields; at left and right are two tree trunks laden with trophies and with bound captives kneeling at their bases, while the outermost figures are winged personifications of fame blowing trumpets; the medallions above the smaller portals portray nobilitas and iuventas (goddess of youth); after peter paul rubens; illustration for gaspar gevaerts' "pompa introitus" (antwerp, 1641)
etching. Date: 1635-1641 (c.). Dimensions: Height: 534 mm (plate-mark); Height: 649 mm (sheet); Width: 541 mm; Width: 543 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Gaspar Gevaerts. Collection: British Museum. Arcus Ferdinandini Pars Posterior (BM 1884,0112.59)
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