
This painting by Frans Fracken II represents the abdication of Emperor Charles V in 1555. In the center sits Charles V with outstretched hands, symbolically giving Spain and the Netherlands to his son Philip on his left and the Empire to his brother Ferdinand on his right. Next to Philip stand various political figures, and below them are banners representing the provinces. In the foreground is an allegorical scene representing Spain's dominance of the sea and the New World. On the left is the bearded Neptune with a globe and his court; on the right is an Indian and other exotic figures and animals offering homage (in the form of gold treasure). The event occurred in Brussels on October 25, 1555, shortly after Charles assented to the Peace of Augsburg, which has been interpreted as a double defeat for him: a recognition of Lutheranism and a political victory for German princes over imperial authority. There Charles made a speech, which included the following statements:
"I had no inordinate ambition to rule a multitude of kingdoms, but merely sought to secure the welfare of Germany, to provide for the defense of Flanders, to consecrate my forces to the safety of Christianity against the Turk, and to labor for the extension of the Christian religion. But although such zeal was mine, I was unable to show so much of it as I might have wished, on account of the troubles raised by the heresies of Luther and other innovators of Germany, and on account of serious war into which the hostility and envy of neighboring princes had driven men, and from which I have safely emerged, thanks to the favor of God. ... I am determined then to retire to Spain, to yield to my son Philip the possession of all my states, and to my brother, the king of the Romans, the Empire. . . . Above all, beware of infection from the sects of neighboring lands. Extirpate at once the germs, if they appear in your midst, for fear lest they may spread abroad and utterly overthrow your state, and lest you may fall into the direst calamities."
CONSIDER: How this picture and speech reflect the position and predicament of the Hapsburgs during this period.