Joaquín Sorolla: Pedro Velarde's last stand on 2 May 1808 (1885)

(Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)

A painting by the Spanish artist Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923). This painting shows an episode during the so-called 'Second of May Uprising of 1808', a rebellion by the people of Madrid against the occupation of the city by French Imperial Napoleonic troops. Pedro Velarde y Santillán (1779 -1808) was a Spanish captain and commander of the artillery in Madrid. When various uprisings broke out on May 2, 1808 in Madrid, Pedro also took up arms and rallied his men. Together with 37 soldiers he defended the Monteleón artillery barracks against the French troops. Together with most his men, Pedro died in the day's heavy fighting. He is seen as a Spanish hero and his last stand is immortalized in numerous artwork and monuments in Spain. Painting from 1885.