317 - J. LUYKEN (1649-1712), Appointment of the Spanish Blood Council, around 1679, Copper engraving

J. LUYKEN (1649-1712), Appointment of the Spanish Blood Council, around 1679, Copper engraving Jan Luyken (1649 Amsterdam - 1712 ibid.): Appointment of the Spanish Blood Council by the Duke of Alba in 1567, c. 1679, Copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on Paper Inscription: At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "II | Afbeeldinge van de Spaansche Bloedraad in den Jaare 1567 door den Hertog van Alva aangestelt". Date: c. 1679 Description: The Council of Blood, known as the Council of Unrest, founded by the Spanish Duke of Alba had around 18,000 people executed. The depiction shows an open courtyard with the Duke of Alba sitting on a throne behind a large table with counsellors. A man kneels before the council. In the background, a man is being beheaded in a large square with an audience. Keywords: 17th century, Baroque, Religious, Netherlands, Size: Paper: 28,0 cm x 35,3 cm (11 x 13,9 in), Plate: 27,3 cm x 34,7 cm (10,7 x 13,7 in), Depiction: 26,0 cm x 34,0 cm (10,2 x 13,4 in) Condition: Good condition. The paper is discoloured due to age. The sheet is pale foxing. Bumped and occasionally torn along the edges. The corners of the sheet are damaged by bumps and creases. The paper is slightly creased in places. The image makes a good impression. The sheet has been folded vertically across the centre. There is a loss at the top of the vertical crease, which has been provisionally restored with an adhesive strip on the reverse; another adhesive strip fixes short tears in the upper margin on the reverse. Minimal holes due to silverfish damage can be seen here and there.