La conferencia de Somerset House 1604

The painting records the Anglo-Spanish peace negotiations of 1604 at Somerset House (London) and, at the same time, provides involuntary evidence for the Europe-wide spreading of Spanish fashion: The English delegation, on the right, is almost indistinguishable in appearance from the Spanish, on the left. All depicted individuals are wearing the typical ruffs; but while the Spanish delegation is completely clad in black, which prevailed at the Madrid court, some of the English negotiators are also wearing colourful items of clothing.

Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (1535–1608), La conferencia de Sommerset House, oil on canvas, 1604; source: National Portrait Gallery, London.