Philip "the Handsome" (1478–1506)

The sitter was long identified as Emperor Maximilian I, who is generally depicted with a prominent aquiline nose, something Rubens must realised as the ruler’s portrait was widely known. Here, the sitter wears a royal not the imperial crown. The armour presumably dates from around 1500, which, together with the sitter’s similarity with other portraits of Philip the Handsome, suggests he is Philip I of Castile, the son of Maximilian I. The St. Andrew’s cross on the breastplate was incorporated into Philip’s coat of arms following his marriage to Joanna of Castile.