Philip II on Horseback by Pierre Paul Rubens

A manifesto of monarchical majesty in the seventeenth century, this grandiose equestrian portrait joins political nobility with martial virtues. The master Pierre Paul Rubens conceives in “Portrait équestre d’un prince en armure” an allegory of military triumph supported by divine blessing. The artwork attests to the tradition of Baroque equestrian portraiture through its monumental composition and glorious symbolism.:::::The monarch proudly rides a powerful brown charger advancing with a majestic stride upon a hilltop. He wears full armor embellished with chiseled gold and a golden hat topped with a brilliant white feather. His right hand holds the baton of command while a dark cape lined with purple billows behind him. On the right, a winged female figure flies among clouds, holding a laurel wreath above the sovereign. The vast plain in the background depicts a pitched battle bordered by smoke and rivers beneath a cloudy sky. Light gilds the prince’s silhouette and makes the gilded equipment shine brilliantly.:::::Pierre Paul Rubens excels in rendering luxurious materials such as engraved steel, silk, and precious gold inlay. His sovereign command of oil painting infuses princely dignity and striking realism into this royal likeness.