Portrait miniature of King Philip II of Spain wearing a dark coloured doublet, lined and trimmed with white fur Watercolour on vellum Oval, 12 x 9 cm Framed: 17cm x 13cmThis fine early portrait miniature of King Philip II of Spain (1527-1598) is a version of an original portrait which is now lost.The original portrait is referred to in several contemporary documents; they describe a portrait painted by Titian of Philip in �the Blue coat with white Wolf-skin�, which was sent by Mary of Hungary to Mary Tudor in England in 1553.Mary I wrote to Charles V mentioning that she had recieved the portrait, and when Philip arrived in England in July 1554 the portrait should have been returned to Mary of Hungary but its subsequent history is obscure. This copy may have been made when the original portrait belonged to Mary of Hungary. Philip II ruled the vast Spanish Empire from 1554 until his death in 1598. During this forty four year reign, Spain reached the height of its power and influence, with territories on every known continent. Described as having �a smile that cut like a sword�, Philip was known to be pious and distrustful, with icy self-control.�3,400Height is 17cm (6.7inches)
Width is 13cm (5.1inches)
Depth is 1cm (0.4inches)