Portrait of Ambrogio Spinola

Ambrogio Spinola was the commander-in-chief of the Spanish armies under the reign of the Archdukes Albert and Isabella. He likely sat for Rubens during a visit to Antwerp shortly after he and his troops defeated the Dutch forces at Breda in 1625. There are several versions of the portrait: in most, Spinola is dressed in full armor, in others, partial armor, and in one, the ceremonial garb of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The uneven quality of this bust-length example—particularly noticeable in the ruff, hairline, and armor—indicates that it was copied from a prototype, probably by artist members of Rubens’s studio. ca. 1625