1721 Copper Engraving Portrait Charles IX Sweden Duke Protestant Thirty EUM2

This is an original 1721 black and white copper engraving of "Carolus, Koenig in Schweden." This is a portrait of Charles IX of Sweden, the son of King Gustav I of Sweden and Margaret Leijonhufvud, his second wife. Charles IX (1604Ð1611) took his number according to a fictitious history of Sweden, thus in actuality he was the third Swedish King named Charles. Set against an etched background, the portrait is surrounded by a wonderful decorative motif mimicking classical architecture. The design features two cherubs in flight; they are suspended, extending a ribbon around a botanical design and a circular relief portrait that rests upon the top of two Corinthian columns. The base of the structure supporting the columns features a decorative frieze relating to the botanical design seen at the top of the print. This piece is accompanied by the original German biographical text printed on a separate sheet and features a decorative drop cap; an exquisite vignette that, irrespective of