The triumph of Ferdinand of Spain (Ferdinand of Austria) in the battle of Kallo: a triumphal car laden with trophies and attributes of Ferdinand enters Antwerp. Etching by T. van Thulden, ca. 1641, after P.P. Rubens.

The battle of Kallo on the river Scheldt opposite Liefkenshoek near Antwerp on 20 June 1638 was a victory of Spain under the Prince Infante Ferdinand over the Dutch under Frederik Hendrik of Orange. The car, inscribed "Laurea calloana", carries trophies, flags, and a laurel tree. Riding on the front of the car are three women personifying Providentia Augustana (looking forwards and backwards), Antwerp and St Omer (Audomaropolis). On the back of the car ride Virtue (holding thunderbolts) and Fortune (holding a shield). The trophies are described in engraved banderolles as "Caesis extracta Batavis" and "De Gallis capta fugatis" ("Removed from the slaughtered Dutch" and "Seized from the routed French"). Below the panoply, two angels hold a wreath inscribed "Ob cives servatos, hostibus profligatis obsidione soluta" (the enemies destroyed, the siege broken")

In the background is the battle bordered as if shown in a tapestry, with a portrait of Ferdinand inset in an oval. The portrait of Ferdinand is dedicated "Ferdinando Callinico S.P.Q.A." (To Ferdinand the victor of Kallo, the senate and people of Antwerp). In the foreground Ferdinand is shown commanding his army as it attacks the ramparts of Beveren

1641

1 print : etching on two plates ; image 53.4 x 60.5 cm

Laurea calloana. P.P. Rub. inuent. T. a Thul. fe. Bears number: pag. 174

Wellcome Collection 2889838i