Philip IV (Spanish: 'Felipe IV', 8 April 1605 – 17 September 1665) was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal (as Philip III, Portuguese: 'Filipe III') until 1640. On the eve of his death in 1665, the Spanish empire reached its territorial zenith spanning almost 3 billion acres. He is best remembered for the "astonishing enthusiasm" with which he collected art.
Philip IV was born in Vallado...
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Philip IV (Spanish: 'Felipe IV', 8 April 1605 – 17 September 1665) was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal (as Philip III, Portuguese: 'Filipe III') until 1640. On the eve of his death in 1665, the Spanish empire reached its territorial zenith spanning almost 3 billion acres. He is best remembered for the "astonishing enthusiasm" with which he collected art.
Philip IV was born in Valladolid, and was the eldest son of Philip III and his wife Margaret of Austria. Philip IV's reign, after a few years of inconclusive successes, was characterized by political and military decay and adversity. He has been held responsible for the decline of Spain, which was mostly due, however, to organic causes largely beyond the control of any one ruler. Philip certainly possessed more energy, both mental and physical, than his diffident father. His handwritten translation of Francesco Guicciardini's texts on political history still exists, and...
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