On-line gallery
- Reference number
- E00272
- Author
- Leoni, Leone (Italian); Leoni, Pompeo (Italian)
- Title
- Felipe II
- Chronology
- 1551-1553
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 171 cm x 72 cm x 46 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
The son of Emperor Carlos V and
Empress Isabel of Portugal, Felipe
II was born in Valladolid in 1527.
In October, 1555 he was named ruler
of the Low Countries and in
January, 1556 he became King of
Spain. The following year he
married his third wife, Isabel of
Valois and in 1570 he married Ana
de Austria, mother of the future
Felipe III. He died in El Escorial
in 1598.
Dressed in Armor, he is represented
at the age of 24. He carries a
baton in his left hand while his
right hand rests on his sword, the
handle of which is topped by an
eagle's head.
An outstanding element in the
sumptuous decoration of his armor
is the low relief on the
breastplate, where a medallion
depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded
by snakes, over the head of an
angel and under more snakes,
alluding to the triumph over Sin.
The armor's pallettes and belt
alternate mythological themes with
other decorative ones.
Basing his work on the statues at
Emperor Maximilan's tomb in
Innsbruck, Leoni casts Felipe II as
a “Prince of the Renaissance.” The
artist crafts this piece very
meticulously, and his work has been
compared to that of a
goldsmith.
Commissioned by Felipe II's
paternal aunt, Maria of Hungary,
this work is signed and dated on
the base. The remains of an
inscription, some of which is now
missing, are visible on the baldric
or ribbon.
Location on the map
