Sunday, April 30, 2017

Festive Structures Memorialized by Pieter van der Borcht

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
Archduke Albert and Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia as Spanish Regents
making a ceremonial entry into Antwerp

1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

These illustration-spreads with hand-colored etchings are from a memorial volume published in Antwerp in 1599  Historica narratio profectionis et inaugurationis serenessimorum Belgii principum Alberti et Isabellae Austriae archiducum. Its purpose was to document and publicize the royal entry of the new Spanish Regents for the Low Countries, Archduke Albert of Austria and his wife, the Spanish Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia.

Pieter van der Borch (ca. 1540-1608) was a long-established house artist for the Plantin Press in Antwerp. He produced these well-organized scenes as summaries of the rituals that actually took place. With equal care he recorded the fabulous temporary architecture created for the festivities  the  triumphal arches dripping with ornament and shooting off flames, the decorative but functional stages erected for tableaux-vivants.

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
Archduke Albert and Isabella Clara Eugenia taking oaths
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
Scene of Investiture in Grote Markt, Antwerp
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
The Milanese Triumphal Arch in Antwerp
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
The Spanish Triumphal Arch in Antwerp
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
The Spanish Triumphal Arch in Antwerp (rear view)
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
The Genoese Triumphal Arch in Antwerp
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
The Genoese Triumphal Arch in Antwerp (rear view)
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
The Portuguese Triumphal Arch in Antwerp
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
Stage with tableau-vivant - Glorification of Agriculture
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
Revolving theater with tableaux-vivants - War and Peace
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
Triumphal Arch in honor of Women
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
Stage with tableau-vivant - Crowning of Venus
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Pieter van der Borcht for Jan Moretus at the Plantin Press
Stage with tableau-vivant - Glorification of Peace and Justice
1599
hand-colored etching
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam