ALVA’S LAST RIDE THROUGH AMSTERDAM 1885 Charles Rochussen VICTORIAN PRINT

Original 1885 6 5/8 inch x 9 1/2 inch engraving titled ALVA’S LAST RIDE THROUGH AMSTERDAM.

Duke of Alba, Fernando Alvarez de Toledo was a Spanish statesman and general. He rose to prominence in the armies of Emperor Charles V. A stickler for discipline and a master of logistics, he contributed significantly to the defeat of the German Protestants at the battle of Mühlberg (1547). Philip II sent him as governor-general to deal with unrest in the Netherlands in 1567, but his notorious ‘Council of Blood’ executed or banished over a thousand men, and was responsible for sparking off the Dutch Revolts against Spanish rule. He was recalled to Spain at his own request in 1573, and in 1580 Philip gave him command of the forces which conquered Portugal.

From the picture by Charles Rochussen (1814 - 1894). Charles Rochussen came from a well-to-do family and chose the profession of painting at a relatively late age. He mostly painted scenes from Dutch history and military tableaux, in which his wide knowledge of historic costumes and uniforms came in very useful. His other subject matter was the leisure pursuits of society circles like horse racing, falconry and yacht racing. He was also a skilled lithographer and book illustrator.

Print size 8 3/4 inch x 12 inch

From ‘The Magazine of Art’ Vol. VIII. 1885. Published by Cassell & Company Ltd. - London, Paris, New York & Melbourne.

The engraving is in very good condition. Printed text on the reverse with another image.