The Surrender of Breda
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La Rendición De Breda (English: The Surrender of Breda, nickname "The lances") is a painting by Velázquez, painted during the years 1634-5, and inspired while Velazquez was visiting Italy with Ambrosio Spinola, the Spanish general who conquered Breda on June 5, 1625. It is considered one of the Velázquez' best artworks. Jan Morris has called it "one of the most Spanish of all pictures" (Jan Morris 1964: "Spain", p.29).
[edit] History behind the surrender of Breda
The reasons behind the painting date back to the late sixteenth century and early seventeenth century. William of Orange, who was a noble of the Netherlands, led a Dutch revolution for independence from Spain. By the year 1590, the city of Breda became a Dutch city again. Nineteen years after William reconquered Breda for the Netherlands, the Twelve Years' Truce was signed, and later, in 1621, King Philip IV became king of Spain, which therefore nullified the Twelve Years' Truce, and caused the Dutch to rekindle the war for independence. Philip IV wanted to conquer Breda from the Netherlands again so he could launch new conquests from the position.
At this point Philip IV hired Ambrosio Spinola to control the Spanish troops at Breda. Spinola was the correct candidate for Philip IV, as he had commanded thirty thousand men plus many other Spanish generals. Philip IV also hired Marquis de Leganés and Carlos Coloma.
Spinola laid siege to the city, and on June 5, 1625, the Dutch general Justin Nassau surrendered under the Spanish terms, and the Dutch, along with Nassau, were treated with dignity and respect.
[edit] The painting itself
The painting shows the two parties, the Dutch and Spanish, each under their respective generals, Nassau of the Netherlands and Spinola of Spain, meeting to conduct the transfer of the key of the city of Breda from Dutch hands to Spain. The painting shows the two men not necessarily as enemies, but rather as friends.
