Antonio de Pereda y Salgado: The Relief of Genoa by the second Marquis of Santa Cruz (1634)

(Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)

In 1622 the French cardinal Richelieu formed an anti-Spanish alliance with Venice en Savoy. In 1624 the armies of these states attacked the Spanish allies in Italy and besieged the city of Genoa - Spain's banker. Álvaro de Bazán, 2nd Marquis of Santa Cruz, was able to bring in 4000 Spanish troops and break the French siege of Genoa in april 1625. This painting was commissioned by king Philip IV of Spain for his Salón de Reinos in his Buen Retiro Palace in Madrid and shows the doge of Genoa (propably Federico De Franchi) honoring Álvaro de Bazán and his fellow officers. Painting from 1634.