Naval Combat of Pernambuco or of Albrolhos (September 12, 1631)

This work is part of a series that depicts Admiral Oquendo's 1631 Brazil campaign to rid its coasts of the Dutch, who had seized Pernanbuco. Despite being fewer in number, the Spanish managed to defeat the Dutch. This painting shows Dutch and Spanish ships and their flags. In the foreground on the left there is a Spanish ship with the royal standard and a Dutch ship on fire. The right depicts the battle between a Dutch ship and Francisco de Vallecilla's San Antonio galleon, which were both burned and blown up.

According to the latest research, this painting is from one of the 2 series by Flemish painter Juan de la Corte covering the events. The first was commissioned by Admiral Oquendo in 1632 and is today owned by the Duke of the Infantado. The second series was painted later between 1632 and 1636 and was commissioned by Oquendo himself as a gift for Spanish monarch Philip IV.

Juan de la Corte settled in Spain from at least 1613. He was a renowned artist of the period: his paintings featured in noble collections at the time and he had works commissioned by royalty, including a series of biblical scenes for the Buen Retiro Palace.