Carducho’s work celebrates the liberation of the Swiss town of Constance from the siege to which it was being subjected by General Horn’s troops, whose purpose was to cut off communications between the Spanish troops in the Valtellina and the Milanese. In the foreground, the Duke of Feria is depicted on horseback on high ground wearing half armour, a stiff walloon and a brimmed hat, as well as the red band of a general with a baton of command, in keeping with the military iconographic canon of the day. Next to him is a page with a lance and a group of knights in armour, possibly including Lieutenant General Geraldo Gambacurta, in charge of the cavalry. In the background of the composition we can see the city of Constanza on the lake of the same name, interspersed with intermediate shots of the battle with various military redoubts and the infantry and cavalry on the battlefield. However, it was difficult for Carducho to depict the Duke of Feria as he died unexpectedly in January 1634, when the cycle of canvases was planned. Carducho was also the only painter commissioned to paint three works for the decoration of the Salón de Reinos.
Collection: Images
Project: 5. Power and powers in the history of Europe: oligarchies, political participation and democracy., 6. Under a cloak of terror: violence and armed conflict in Europe.
Chronology: XVII
Scope: Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, University
Resource type: Image
Format: Oil on canvas (297 x 374 cm)
Source: Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid)
Language: Spanish
Date: 1634
Owner: Álvaro Romero González (Modernalia)
Identifier: P000636
Copyright: Museo del Prado (Madrid)
Abstract: Representation of the relief of Constanza Square, which forms part of the Military History and the Thirty Years' War waged by the Spanish Monarchy, whose victories were commemorated on various canvases in the Salón de Reinos of the Buen Retiro Palace
Image
Tags
