Gaspar de Guzmán y Pimentel, 1st Duke of Sanlúcar, 3rd Count of Olivares,, known as the Count-Duke of Olivares, was a Spanish royal favourite of Philip IV and minister. He was appointed as Grandee on
Equestrian Portrait of the Count-Duke of Olivares by Diego Velázquez
A relatively youthful Olivares in 1624, three years into his time in power, dressed in robes of the Order of Calatrava by Diego Velázquez
The re-taking of Breda, an early Spanish success in the Eighty Years' War that would ultimately result in Olivares' fall from power, by Diego Velázquez.
The Battle of Montjuïc (1641), by Pandolfo Reschi, a Spanish failure during the Catalan Revolt which would help seal Olivares' fate as prime minister.
Battle of the Downs
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The Battle of the Downs took place on 21 October 1639, during the Eighty Years' War. A Spanish fleet, commanded by Admiral Antonio de Oquendo, was decisively defeated by a Dutch force under Lieutenant
The Battle of the Downs Willem van de Velde the Younger, 1659
Spanish commander Antonio de Oquendo
Dutch commander Maarten Tromp
Before the Battle of the Downs by Reinier Nooms, circa 1639, depicting the Dutch blockade off the English coast, the vessel shown is the Aemilia, Tromp's flagship.