X-Nico

16 unusual facts about Philip IV of Spain


Albera Massif

The Albera Range became the border between France and Spain following the Treaty of the Pyrenees, when Philip IV of Spain ceded a part of the Spanish kingdom to Louis XIV of France, dividing Northern Catalonia from Historical Catalonia.

Antonio Ruiz de Montoya

In 1637 Montoya (on behalf of the governor, the Bishop of Paraguay, and the heads of the orders) laid a complaint before Philip IV of Spain as to the Portuguese policy of sending kidnapping expeditions into the neighboring regions.

Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto

Gained recognition, has advanced the redemption request to the Court of Madrid against the oppressive power of Milazzo under whose jurisdiction Pozzo di Gotto depended politically and physically by providing a distant hamlet, a bond that will be permanently discontinued May 22, 1639 and ratified by royal decree Viceroy under the reign of Philip IV of Spain, assumes the title "Libera et Realis Civitas Putei de Gotho".

Gaspar Sanz

When Sanz returned to Spain he was appointed instructor of guitar to Don Juan (John of Austria), the illegitimate son of King Philip IV and Maria Calderon, a noted actress of the day.

Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Pink Dress

Until the 19th century the painting was misidentified as a portrait of Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain, child of Philip IV of Spain's first marriage (with Elisabeth of France) and later wife of Louis XIV of France.

Portrait of Francisco Lezcano

Portrait of Francisco Lezcano or The "Niño de Vallecas" is the 1645 portrait by Diego Velázquez of Francisco Lezcano (died 1649), also known as Lezcanillo or el Vizcaíno, a jester at the court of Philip IV of Spain.

Portrait of Juan Martínez Montañés

The trip was to make a clay bust of Philip IV of Spain as the modello for the Florentine sculptor Pietro Tacca's bronze equestrian statue of Philip (the statue now on plaza de Oriente in Madrid), which is what he is shown doing in the portrait, shaping the clay with a stick (though the bust itself is only in outline, since the painting is unfinished).

Portrait of Maria Anna

It was made prior to its subject's marriage to Ferdinand III of Austria to be taken to Spain as a reminder of her in her absence for her brother Philip IV of Spain (since the time of Charles I of Spain it had been customary for Spanish kings and their relatives to exchange kinship portraits to show their character to others, to demonstrate their appearance in marriage negotiations or simply to remind each other of their appearance).

Portrait of Pablo de Valladolid

Portrait of Pablo de Valladolid is a portrait by Diego Velázquez of Pablo or "Pablillos" de Valladolid, 1587–1648, a jester and actor at Philip IV's court from 1632 until his death.

Portrait of Sebastián de Morra

The Portrait of Sebastián de Morra is a portrait by Diego Velázquez of Sebastián de Morra, a dwarf and jester at the court of Philip IV of Spain.

Portrait of the Infante Don Carlos

Portrait of the Infante Don Carlos is a 1626/27 oil painting of Don Carlos of Spain (brother to Philip IV of Spain), produced by Diego Velázquez as one of the first paintings he produced during his stay in Madrid.

The Dumbfounded King

Story set in 17th century Spanish court, where King Philip IV (Gabino Diego), on a getaway with Count of Peña Andrada, is stunned to see the naked body of Marfisa, a prostitute of the town (in a pose reminiscent of Rokeby Venus).

The Jester Barbarroja

The Jester Barbarroja (El bufón Barbarroja) is a portrait of Cristóbal de Castañeda y Pernia, nicknamed Barbarroja in his role as a jester at the court of Philip IV of Spain from 1633 to 1649, by Diego Velázquez.

The Jester Calabacillas

The Jester Calabacillas is a portrait by Velázquez of Don Juan Martín Martín, "Juan de Calabazas" or "El Búfón Calabacillas", a jester at the court of Philip IV of Spain, sometimes known by the nickname Bizco.

The Jester Don Diego de Acedo

The Jester Don Diego de Acedo is one of a series of portraits of jesters at the court of Philip IV of Spain by Diego Velázquez.

The Jester Don John of Austria

Its subject was a jester or bufón at the court of Philip IV of Spain from 1624 to 1654 who appeared in court comedies in front of important court figures.


Catalan Revolt

Count-Duke Olivares, the chief minister of Philip IV, had been overusing Catalan resources in his wars against France.

House of Olivares

The most prominent member of the House of Olivares was Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares, the favourite of Philip IV of Spain.

Juan Francisco Pimentel, 7th Duke of Benavente

He is wearing the collar of a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, awarded 1648, number 421, hence, it was painted by Diego Velázquez before his second trip to purchase paints for King Philip IV in Italy.

Mariana Trench

The Mariana Trench is named for the nearby Mariana Islands (in turn named Las Marianas in honor of Spanish Queen Mariana of Austria, widow of Philip IV of Spain).

Pedro Henriquez de Acevedo, Count of Fuentes

As he and his wife died childless, the title passed to one of her relatives, Manuel de Acevedo y Zúñiga, 6th Count of Monterrey, Ourense, Spain, Grandee of Spain by king Philip IV of Spain on 11 July 1628, Viceroy of Naples, 1631–1637.

Portrait of Philip IV in Armour

The Portrait of Philip IV in Armour is a portrait of Philip IV of Spain by Velázquez now in the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

Portuguese Jewish community in Hamburg

The first Sephardic settlers were Portuguese Marranos, who had fled from their own country under Philip II and Philip III, at first concealing their religion in their new place of residence.

Sumiller de Corps

In fact, the Validos of the Habsburg Kings were always their “Sumilleres de Corps” as it happened with the Duke of Lerma and the Duke of Uceda with King Philip III or the Count-Duke of Olivares with King Philip IV.

Teimuraz I of Kakheti

Determined to eliminate the Safavid hegemony over Georgia, Teimuraz sent his ambassador, Niciphores Irbachi, to Western Europe and requested the aid from Philip IV of Spain and Pope Urban VIII.

Treaty of Monçon

The Treaty of Monçon or Treaty of Monzón was signed on 5 March 1626 by Cardinal Richelieu, the chief minister of Louis XIII and Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares, the chief minister of Philip IV of Spain, at Monçon (modern Monzón) in Aragon.

Vincenzo Comnen

An assignment of his order sent him to Spain, where he became the padre of the invincible Spanish Armada during the reign of Philip IV of Spain.

Viscount Exmouth

His son, the ninth Viscount, married Maria Luisa Urquijoy y Losada, Marquesa de Olias, a title created by Philip IV in the Peerage of Spain in 1652.