(Antwerp 1587 – 1658 Amsterdam) Ceremonially attired women making music to welcome Charles V and his army during their triumphal entrance into the liberated city of Tunis, oil on panel, 72 x 213 cm, framed;

On its reverse the picture features an original ornamental painting dating from the 17th century. In 1535 Emperor Charles V lead a successful military expedition against the base of the Turkish privateer (pirate) fleet at Tunis and the Berber prince, Hayreddin Barbarossa. The painting shows the entry of the victorious army under the leadership of Charles V into the city where ceremonially dressed virgins playing music solemnly welcomed him. There is a twelve-part series of tapestry designs by Jan Vermeyen in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, despicting this event. The present painting which was produced some hundred years later in Flanders was painted by the artist from the perspective of the 17th century. As an additional indication of the authenticity of the painting, it can be seen that the armoured horsemen carry lances and not the later more usual firearms (muskets) and that the commander of the fleet is wearing a beard in the style of the great Habsburgs. This military expedition by Charles V against Tunis was an event which would fascinate later generations, particularly in the Habsburg lands, in which it is known that the sun never set. We are grateful to Ludwig Meyer, Archiv für Kunstgeschichte, Munich, for identifying the image and for suggesting the artist (written communication of 23 November 2009).