The Flemish artist Antoon van Dyck (1599-1641) was one of the finest portraitists of his time. His oeuvre was not limited to painting, including also several portraits in the technique of etching, whose brilliant and energetic hand testifies above all to his genius as a draughtsman. The etchings were later incorporated into a series of portraits of eminent figures of the era, which since the 18th century has become known as "Iconographie". The cycle of portraits came about as Van Dyck's incentive, with the foremost Netherlandish engravers creating lifelike portraits after the painter's works, portraits that were at all times much valued and imitated for their superior quality.

The small-scale exhibition hosted by the Sternberg Palace presents a selection of eight prints from the cycle.