A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Jacob Louÿs, depicting Elizabeth of Bourbon, Queen of Spain, framed by an ornate floral cartouche.

This engraving by Jacob Louÿs depicts Elizabeth of Bourbon, the first wife of King Philip IV of Spain. The work is based on a design by Peter Paul Rubens, reflecting the collaborative nature of print production within the Rubens studio during the seventeenth century. The portrait captures the Queen in a formal pose, wearing an elaborate ruff collar and period-appropriate jewellery, which signifies her royal status and the fashion of the Spanish court.

The composition is framed by a decorative cartouche, featuring floral motifs and swags that surround the central oval portrait. At the base, two putti support a tablet inscribed with the Queen's titles in Latin, a common feature in formal portrait prints of the era. The engraving technique demonstrates the precision required to render the textures of the lace, the sheen of the pearls, and the soft modelling of the subject's face. Louÿs employs varied line weights to create depth and shadow, ensuring the figure remains the focus despite the ornate surroundings.

As a Flemish engraver, Louÿs was skilled at translating the painterly qualities of Rubens into the medium of print. This work serves as a record of the visual culture of the Habsburg court, documenting the appearance of a major historical figure through the lens of Baroque aesthetics. The print is a fine example of the reproductive engraving tradition, where the technical skill of the printmaker allowed for the wider dissemination of royal portraiture across Europe. The balance between the rigid formality of the sitter and the fluid, organic forms of the surrounding floral frame creates a structured visual experience.