Patronage
Spanish Monarchy 1475–1833
The Spanish monarchs were avid collectors of art, ranging from paintings and jewellery to tapestries. Much of it was used to decorate their palaces. However, each member of the Royal Family had their own interests and particular tastes. Monarchs including Philip II and Philip IV were passionate collectors of Italian art, and some of the wives of various kings also loved Italian art. As the Prado is now home to much of the art collected by the Royal Family, its collection reflects the tastes of the monarchs seen below. Click on images for details.
Ferdinand II
Reigned:
15 January 1475 – 26 November 1504 (co-ruled with Isabella I of Castile)
Isabella I of Castile
Reigned:
11 December 1474 – 26 November 1504
Philip I
Reigned:
27 June – 25 September 1506 (co-ruled with Joanna of Castile)
Joanna of Castile
Reigned:
26 November 1504 – 12 April 1555
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (Charles I of Spain)
Reigned:
23 January 1516 – 16 January 1556 (co-ruled with Joanna of Castile before abdicating)
Isabel of Portugal
Philip II
Reigned:
16 January 1556 – 13 September 1598
Maria Manuela of Portugal
Mary I of England
Reigned: Queen of England and Ireland 19 July 1553 – 17 November 1558
Elisabeth of Valois
Anna of Austria
Philip III
Reigned:
13 September 1598 – 31 March 1621
Marguerite of Austria
Philip IV
Reigned:
31 March 1621 – 17 September 1665
Elisabeth of France
Mariana of Austria
Charles II
Reigned:
17 September 1665 – 1 November 1700
Marie Louise of Orléans
Maria Anna of Neuburg
Philip V
Reigned:
16 November 1700 – 14 January 1724 (abdicated); 6 September 1724 – 9 July 1746
Maria Louisa of Savoy
Elisabeth Farnese
Louis I
Reigned:
14 January 1724 – 31 August 1724
Louise Elisabeth d'Orléans
Ferdinand VI
Reigned:
9 July 1746 – 10 August 1759
Barbara of Portugal
Charles III
Reigned:
10 August 1759 – 14 December 1788
Maria Amalia of Saxony
Charles IV
Reigned:
14 December 1788 – 19 March 1808 (deposed)
Maria Louisa of Parma
Ferdinand VII
Reigned:
19 March – 6 May 1808 (deposed);
11 December 1813 – 29 September 1833
Maria Antonia of Naples and Sicily
Maria Isabel of Portugal
Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony
Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies