Where Is The Surrender of Breda? Museum Location

Q: Where can I see The Surrender of Breda?

It's at the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Velázquez painted it between 1634 and 1635 for the Hall of Realms in the Buen Retiro Palace.

Q: What event does this depict?

The Dutch surrender of the city of Breda to Spanish forces in June 1625, during the Eighty Years' War. The Dutch commander Justin of Nassau hands the city key to the Spanish general Ambrosio Spinola. Spinola graciously places his hand on Nassau's shoulder, preventing him from kneeling.

Q: Why is the painting called 'Las Lanzas'?

Its Spanish nickname, 'Las Lanzas' (The Lances), comes from the forest of Spanish lances rising vertically on the right side. They contrast with the more scattered Dutch weapons on the left, visually representing Spanish military order and superiority.

Q: How big is the painting?

It's massive: 307 cm × 367 cm (10 feet 1 inch × 12 feet). Velázquez painted it for a series of battle paintings celebrating Spanish military victories. The composition balances Baroque grandeur with a surprisingly human moment of chivalry between enemies.

Q: Is the scene historically accurate?

Partly. The surrender happened, but Velázquez invented the specific moment of generosity. He'd never witnessed the event. He likely met Spinola during an Italian voyage and used him as a model. The painting served as propaganda, presenting Spanish conquest as noble and merciful.

Diego Velázquez painted The Surrender of Breda between 1634 and 1635, commemorating Spain's 1625 victory over Dutch forces at Breda. The painting shows General Ambrosio Spinola receiving the city's keys from Justinus van Nassau. Spinola places his hand on the defeated commander's shoulder, preventing him from kneeling. It's a gesture of respect unusual in victory paintings.

The composition is dominated by lances on the Spanish side, giving the work its popular name, Las Lanzas (The Lances). Critic José Ortega y Gasset called them "the backbone of the entire picture." The Dutch side shows fewer weapons, mostly lowered. Smoke rises in the background from what remains of the siege.

The massive canvas measures 307 by 367 centimeters and hangs at the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Philip IV commissioned it for the Hall of Kingdoms at the Buen Retiro Palace, along with eleven other battle scenes designed to impress foreign ambassadors. Velázquez had traveled with Spinola to Italy in 1629, so he knew the general personally. Spinola died in 1630, making this also a posthumous portrait.

It's at the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Velázquez painted it between 1634 and 1635 for the Hall of Realms in the Buen Retiro Palace.

The Dutch surrender of the city of Breda to Spanish forces in June 1625, during the Eighty Years' War. The Dutch commander Justin of Nassau hands the city key to the Spanish general Ambrosio Spinola. Spinola graciously places his hand on Nassau's shoulder, preventing him from kneeling.

Its Spanish nickname, 'Las Lanzas' (The Lances), comes from the forest of Spanish lances rising vertically on the right side. They contrast with the more scattered Dutch weapons on the left, visually representing Spanish military order and superiority.

It's massive: 307 cm × 367 cm (10 feet 1 inch × 12 feet). Velázquez painted it for a series of battle paintings celebrating Spanish military victories. The composition balances Baroque grandeur with a surprisingly human moment of chivalry between enemies.

Partly. The surrender happened, but Velázquez invented the specific moment of generosity. He'd never witnessed the event. He likely met Spinola during an Italian voyage and used him as a model. The painting served as propaganda, presenting Spanish conquest as noble and merciful.

The Surrender of Breda

Details

Where to See It

The Artist

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