Antonio de Pereda’s work shows the Doge of the Republic of Genoa coming out of the gates of the city to embrace Don Álvaro de Bazán, who has arrived in command of a fleet to protect the place from the Frisian siege by Constable Lesdiguières and Charles Emmanuel of Savoy. In the background, the jubilant population greets the arrival of the ships. The event was one of the most important episodes in the struggle between Spain and France for control of Liguria in Italy, allowing the French and Savoyard advances in the area to be countered. It was also one of several important Spanish victories on the scattered fronts of 1625. This work, apart from celebrating the Spanish victory, honoured the second Marquis of Santa Cruz, who played a notable role during the reigns of Philip III and Philip IV, where one of his greatest exploits was the capture of the island of Longo in 1604, which was used for the composition of a comedy by Lope de Vega. As Álvaro de Bazán was one of the best-known figures at court, Pereda may have portrayed him from life, as his features are more in keeping with his 63 years of age in 1634 than with his 54 in 1625.
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 (290 x 370 cm)
Source: Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid)
Language: Spanish
Date: 1634-35
Owner: Álvaro Romero González (Modernalia)
Identifier: P007126
Copyright: Museo del Prado (Madrid)
Abstract: Representation of the relief of Genoa by the Marquis of Santa Cruz, a work that forms part, along with others, of the commemoration of a series of land and naval victories that smiled on the armies of the Hispanic Monarchy during the first period of the Thirty Years' War. These canvases were destined for the Salón de Reinos of the Buen Retiro Palace.
Image
Tags
