Portrait of Ferdinand, Cardinal Infant of Austria, three-quarter length wearing a gold-embroidered burgundy jacket and sash

Ferdinand of Austria was the younger brother of Philip IV of Spain. After his victories at the battle of Noerdlingen in September 1634, he took over the duties of Governor of the Spanish Netherlands. It was almost immediately after his official entry into Brussels in November 1634 that van Dyck painted him, in the costume he wore during the festivities and carrying the baton of office in his right hand.

The original had entered the collections of the Museo del Prado, Madrid, Inv. no. 1480, by 1636. A number of engravings were executed after it, including that by Pieter de Jode; see E. Larsen, The Paintings of Anthony van Dyck, 1988, II, p. 304, no. 766; I, p. 342 illustrated.