Michiel Jansz. van Miereveld

Ambrogio Spinola


The Spanish army in the Southern Netherlands was under the command of the Italian Ambrogio Spinola. As a general this opponent of Stadholder Maurice was widely respected. Spinola travelled to The Hague for the negotiations that led to the Twelve-Year Truce. It was during this period that the artist Michiel van Miereveld of Delft painted his portrait, probably commissioned by Maurice for his gallery of paintings of famous heroes. Here Spinola, almost an exact contemporary of Maurice, is shown aged 39.

Title Ambrogio Spinola (1569-1630), Commander of the Spanish Troops in the Southern Netherlands

Year 1609

Artist Michiel Jansz. van Miereveld

Technique Oil on canvas

Dimensions 119 x 87 cm