Early 17th Watercolor On Vellum Miniature Portrait Of King Philip II Of Spain

Miniature portrait of King Philip II of Spain wearing a dark-colored doublet, lined and trimmed with white fur Watercolor on vellum Oval, 12 x 9 cm Framed: 17 cm x 13 cm This beautiful miniature portrait of King Philip II of Spain ( 1527-1598) is a version of an original portrait now lost. The original portrait is mentioned in several contemporary documents; they describe a portrait painted by Titian of Philip in "the blue habit with white wolf skin", which was sent by Mary of Hungary to Mary Tudor in England in 1553. Mary I wrote to Charles V to mention that she had received the portrait and that 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 at the time 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 over all known continents. Described as having "a smile that cuts like a sword", Philip was known to be pious and suspicious, with icy self-control.