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Original fileStamboom van het Habsburgse huis, serie B
About This Work
This elaborate engraving presents the dynastic lineage of the Habsburgs, organized around central figures like Emperor Rudolf II and Ferdinand II. Each individual is depicted in a circular portrait, often accompanied by their specific coat of arms and imperial regalia. The structure illustrates the vast web of marriages and successions that unified the Holy Roman Empire and the Spanish crown during the 17th century.
Created by Aegidius Sadeler, the imperial engraver for Rudolf II, this work reflects the political and dynastic legitimization required at the Prague court, a major hub for Hermeticism and alchemy. The hierarchical arrangement mirrors the period's philosophical interest in the 'Great Chain of Being' and the divine order of earthly sovereignty.
Inscriptions(Latin)
Rudolphus II Rom: Imp: Aug: VI. hoc nomi- ne in Augusta Aust: familia Maximi II. Rom: Imp: Aug: filius secundus. Philippus I. Maximiliani I. Rom: Imp: Aug. Filius. Iohanna Philippi I. Archiducis Aust: Vxor. Carolus hoc nomine primus in inclyta Austriæ domo sed V. Rom: Imp: Aug: Phi- lippi I. Archid: Austriæ et c. Filius. Isabella Cardi V. Rom: Imp: Aug: Vxor. Ferdinandus I. hoc nomine & c. in in- clyta Austriæ domo et I. Rom: Imp: Aug: Philippi I. Archid: Aust: & c. Filius Prior. Anna Ferdinandi I. Rom: Imp: Aug: Vxor.
Translation
Rudolph II, Holy Roman Emperor, the sixth of this name in the illustrious Austrian family, second son of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor. Philip I, son of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. Joanna, wife of Philip I, Archduke of Austria. Charles, the first of this name in the illustrious House of Austria, but the fifth Holy Roman Emperor, son of Philip I, Archduke of Austria, etc. Isabella, wife of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Ferdinand I, the first of this name in the illustrious House of Austria and the first Holy Roman Emperor, eldest son of Philip I, Archduke of Austria, etc. Anna, wife of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.
Connected Texts
Rudolf II
Aegidius Sadeler served as the court engraver for Emperor Rudolf II, whose patronage defined the intellectual and esoteric landscape of late Renaissance Prague.
Provenance & Source
Object
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
paper
height 435 mm x width 623 mm
portrait
Linked Data
AI AI-cataloged fields generated by gemini-3-flash-preview on April 2, 2026. Getty identifiers are AI-inferred and may require verification.