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The Spanish Sussession War

PORTRAIT OF KING FHILIP V

We can see the portrait of Philip V hanging upside down, as a punishment for burning and renaming the city, following the capture of Xàtiva in the War of Spanish Succession

The king is standing in a conventional body posture at the forefront of the picture wearing courtesan clothes, with emphatic gesture it seems as if he were pointing at the Battle of Almansa at the background, where it was decided among other issues the fate of the city of Xàtiva.

The iconographic source that could have inspired the modest local artist (José Amorós 1720) to perform this portrait is unknown, the same artist painted his wife Luisa Gabriela de Saboya and son future Louis I as well, which were commissioned by the city council in late 1718. The three canvases inaugurate the series of portraits of monarchs who intended at the time to the Chamber of the House of the City, are today the Royal Gallery of the Museum of L'Almodí of Xativa. 

Half a century ago the museum director Carlos Sarthou decided to hang upside down Philip V’s portrait in a symbolic revenge for the destruction and ruin caused to the city and its inhabitants. This curiosity became a symbol of nationalist, and has made this picture one of the most famous works of l'Almodí.

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