Battle of Pavia

Unknown artist, Flemish

After 1525

This painting commemorates the 24 February 1525 military engagement between the armies of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, and the King of France, Francis I. The Battle of Pavia represented one of many between 1521 and 1529 that sought to resolve the issue of control over the Lombardy region in northern Italy, a strategic communication point between Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. The imperial army is depicted at the lower left; the soon-to-be defeated French are identified by their flag, white lilies on a blue field.

  • Titles Battle of Pavia (Proper)
  • Medium oil on panel
  • Dimensions 45 9/16 × 68 11/16 in. (115.8 × 174.4 cm) frame: 57 × 79 1/2 × 4 in. (144.8 × 201.9 × 10.2 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 1961.125
  • Work Type painting
  • Classification Paintings
  • On View