Carrying a shield with the coat of arms of Felipe II (1556-1598) and the flag of Victory, Spain rescues Religion from the Turkish threat that appears on a chariot in the sea. Religion is visible at the right of the composition, wearing only a blue cloth.

This work commemorates the Battle of Lepanto (7 October 1571), when troops of the Holy League (Spain, Venice and the Papal States) defeated the Turks and stopped the expansion of the Ottoman Empire of Selim II (1524-1574).

The scene is based on a mythological composition conceived by Titian for Alfonso d' Este (1486-1534), which is now lost.

This work came to Madrid in 1575 along with Following Victory at Lepanto, Felipe II offers the Infante Don Fernando to Heaven (P00431). It entered the Prado Museum collection in 1839.