Who painted The Storming of Rheinfelden?

The Storming of Rheinfelden was painted by Vincenzo Carducci in 1634-01-01.

Where can I see The Storming of Rheinfelden?

The Storming of Rheinfelden is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The Storming of Rheinfelden?

The Storming of Rheinfelden is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Storming of Rheinfelden?

Museum-quality prints of The Storming of Rheinfelden are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

The Storming of Rheinfelden by Vincenzo Carducci (1634)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the 1633 Spanish capture of Rheinfelden, a strategic action intended to secure the military route connecting Milan and the Netherlands.

The painting depicts the 1633 Spanish capture of Rheinfelden, a strategic action intended to secure the military route connecting Milan and the Netherlands. As part of a larger cycle glorifying King Philip IV, the work functions as an allegory of princely virtue and military triumph. The central figure is Gómez Suárez de Figueroa, the third Duke of Feria, portrayed standing on a rock issuing commands while holding a baton of authority.

The composition details the disciplined formation of the Spanish tercios, with compact groups of pikemen and musketeers assaulting the fortress walls. Iconographic elements include the Burgundy cross flag raised atop a tower, which explicitly symbolizes Spanish victory. The scene combines historical narration of the siege with the broader political message of Habsburg dominance.

Technique & Style

The Storming of Rheinfelden is executed in oil on canvas, a support typical of Baroque easel paintings in the early seventeenth century. The work is signed and dated by the artist, confirming its 1634 execution. Its composition follows a Baroque visual language, employing a clear hierarchical arrangement of figures, dramatic gestures, and a symbolic flag to convey triumph.

The painter renders armour, weapons, and the Duke of Feria with meticulous detail, reflecting the ordered structure of the Spanish tercios. The canvas measures 297 × 357 cm and was originally displayed in the Salón de Reinos of the Buen Retiro palace.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1634 by Vicente Carducho (Vincenzo Carducci), this oil on canvas commemorates the Spanish victory at Rheinfelden in 1633 under the command of the Duke of Feria. The painting was commissioned as part of a series of battle scenes intended to decorate the Salón de Reinos within the Palace of Buen Retiro in Madrid, serving to glorify the military achievements of King Philip IV. Carducho signed and dated the work in the lower centre.

Originally catalogued as number 253 in the 1701 inventory of the Salón de Reinos, the piece remained in the Royal Collection and appeared in the Buen Retiro inventory of 1794. By 1814–1818 it was recorded as hanging in the corridors of the Royal Palace in Madrid before eventually entering the Museo del Prado, where it is held under inventory number P000637 and displayed in the permanent collection.

Context

Painted in 1634 by Vincenzo Carducci, this work originally adorned the Hall of Realms in the Buen Retiro Palace as part of a series of canvases glorifying the military victories of Philip IV. Scholars interpret the Hall as a 'Hall of Princely Virtue,' where narrative and allegory combined to celebrate the monarch's reign. The painting specifically highlights Gómez Suárez de Figueroa, the third Duke of Feria, who also commands the focus in other canvases within the same series.

Carducci's composition meticulously details the battle order of the Spanish tercios, contrasting compact pikemen formations with musketeers on the flanks, while the Burgundy cross flag signals Spanish triumph. Historically, the piece commemorates the 1633 capture of Rheinfelden, a strategic move to secure the Spanish Road between Milan and the Netherlands, though the city was later retaken by Protestant forces in 1638.

Overview

Vincenzo Carducci, an Italian painter active in Spain, completed The Storming of Rheinfelden in 1634. This oil painting exemplifies the early Baroque style, presenting a dramatic historical battle. Classified as a history painting, the artwork is currently housed in the collection of the Museo del Prado, offering a vivid portrayal of a significant military engagement from its era.