Portrait of Philipp II of Spain 1570

Sofonisba Anguissola painted this portrait of Philip II of Spain, now held in the Prado Museum in Madrid, during the late 16th century. It’s fascinating to consider the politics of imagery at the time. Anguissola, a woman artist in a patriarchal society, gained access to the Spanish court, an institution of immense power. Here she presents Philip II, not with the symbols of military might, but with the trappings of piety. Note the rosary he holds, the somber colors, and the simple, almost monastic, cut of his clothes. What does this tell us about the image of kingship that Philip II wished to project? As historians, it’s our role to look beyond the surface, to research the social and institutional contexts that shaped the artwork. By consulting historical documents and studying the cultural norms of the time, we can better understand how art both reflects and influences the world around it.