Queen Isabella I of Spain, Queen of Castille (1451-1504)
Artist: Spanish School, 15th century
Collection: The Royal Collection, United Kingdom
Isabella I was hereditary Queen of Castile in her own right and her marriage in 1469 to her cousin, Ferdinand II of Aragon united their kingdoms and transformed Spain into a major European power, paving the way for unification under their grandson, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. During their joint reign, Ferdinand and Isabella expanded their territories, financing Christopher Columbus in his 1492 voyage, which resulted in discovery of the Americas. For their fervent defense of the Catholic faith, they were proclaimed 'The Catholic Kings' by Pope Alexander VI.
This portrait shows Isabella I in three-quarters against a blue background, wearing a lavishly embroidered cloth of gold dress, white skull-cap and double-strand gold necklace with a ruby and pearl pendent. The jewel is possibly the 'un rubi balax grande e quartro perlos en el puestas grandes' described in an inventory of 1453. She holds a closed book in both hands, with the thumb of her right hand marking a page. The holding of a book, commonly a religious text, was used to represent the piety of a sitter during this period and was particularly associated with portraits of women.
