Libro de los Reyes de Felipe II

Philip II (1527–1598), King of Spain, commissioned his court painter Hernando de Ávila (1538–1595) with a chronicle of the Spanish monarchy up to his century. The decoration of Segovia’s Sala Real, the King’s Hall, from the time of Alfonso X was redesigned in 1591. The impressive manuscript, which accompanies the project in the Alcázar of Segovia, documents this now-lost decoration and is stored today in the Museo Nacional in Madrid.

A Royal Genealogy

Hernando de Ávila made a manuscript together with the scribe and historian Esteban de Garibay, who had a measurable impact on the work, which is known as the Libro de los Reyes de Felipe II. Dated to the year 1594, it assembles 52 Spanish kings and queens on 64 pages measuring 33 x 22 cm. The Book of Kings is reminiscent of a genealogical list and as such contains a family tree.

The Spanish Monarchs in Portrait

The respective rulers are primarily depicted with their regalia, e.g. with sword and globe, crown and ermine lined cloak. 52 kings and queens from Asturia, León and Castile, and Spain are presented from Don Pelayo – founder of the Kingdom of Asturia – to Juana la Loca. Additionally, four additional historically important people from Spain are found here in the series: Fernán González, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar – known as El Cid, Ramón de Borgoña and Enrique de Lorena. They are juxtaposed by their respective coat-of-arms and a short text with an account of their life: The splendid watercolors are additionally accented with gold and silver and are presented as an outstanding testimonial to Spanish Renaissance painting!