FRANCKEN, Frans II
(b. 1581, Antwerpen, d. 1642, Antwerpen)

Allegory on the Abdication of Emperor Charles V in Brussels, 25 October 1555,

c. 1620
Oil on panel, 134 x 172 cm
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Charles V, seated on his throne, is stretching out his hands to his brother Ferdinand, on the left, and his son Philip, on the right. With this gesture of abdication, Germany passed to Ferdinand and Spain and the Netherlands to Philip. The women bearing standards symbolize the Emperor's Dutch, Spanish and Italian possessions. Charles V is depicted as ruler of the world, with women representing Europe, America and India and Neptune the oceans. Charles' motto was 'Plus Ultra' (= Further Yet).