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The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, as the Royal Pantheon of the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties, has always been regarded as one of the most representative buildings of the Spanish Crown. Throughout its five centuries of history, Spain’s monarchs have consistently sought to enrich its art collections.
The building was commissioned by Philip II, whose passion for Flemish painting is reflected by masterpieces in the collection such as those by Rogier van der Weyden (The Crucifixion), Hieronymus Bosch (Christ Carrying the Cross) and his workshop (The Haywain), Joachim Patinir (Saint Christopher), Simon Bening (The Saint Jerome Triptych), Michiel Coxcie (David and Goliath and numerous other major works), and Vincent Sellaer (The Last Supper). In the subgenre of court portraiture, the magnificent Portrait of Philip II by Antonio Mor stands out, closely linked to the founding of El Escorial.
The spectacular acquisitions of Philip IV raised the monastery’s pictorial collection to a new level. In particular, he purchased a major consignment of religious Flemish paintings, such as the superb Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Anthony van Dyck and several Vases and Garlands of Flowers by Daniel Seghers.
Carmen García-Frías Checa, Curator of Old Master Paintings, Patrimonio Nacional (December 2025)