TheOldMastersPrintsThe Surrender of Breda by Diego Velázquez: meaning, location and key facts
The Surrender of Breda is an oil on canvas by Diego Velázquez, painted between 1634 and 1635. It measures 307 × 367 cm and is held at the Museo del Prado, Madrid.
Key facts
| Artist | Diego Velázquez |
|---|---|
| Date | 1634–1635 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 307 × 367 cm (height × width) |
| Museum | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
| Style | Spanish Baroque |
| Data source | Wikidata (Q1133420) · Wikipedia |
What it shows
On 5 June 1625, after a long siege, the Dutch governor Justin of Nassau hands the keys of Breda to General Ambrogio Spinola, commander of the Spanish army. Spinola places a hand on his shoulder and stops him from kneeling: a scene of generosity towards the defeated.
On the right, the vertical pikes of the Spanish troops form a forest that gives the painting its other name, The Lances. In the background are the smoke of fires and the floodwaters of the siege.
Did you know?
- Velázquez painted it in 1634-1635 for the Hall of Realms in the Buen Retiro palace, alongside other victories of Philip IV’s reign.
- Velázquez never went to Breda; he relied on prints and written accounts.
- The man in a hat at the far right is often identified as a self-portrait.
Where to see the original
The Surrender of Breda is at the Museo del Prado, Madrid. Works are sometimes lent to exhibitions or taken down for restoration, so it is worth checking the museum’s website before you go.
Which print size to choose
The print keeps the proportions of the original: if they differ from the paper, the painting is centred with a white border and never cropped. More details in our size guide.
| A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | shelves, desks and gallery walls |
|---|---|
| A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | bedrooms, hallways and small walls |
| A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) | above a sideboard, chest of drawers or headboard |
Prints are made to order in the Czech Republic and reach the EU in 3 to 8 days, with no customs. Canvases are made in the USA and take about 2 to 3 weeks, with EU VAT included in the price.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is The Surrender of Breda?
- The original is held at the Museo del Prado, Madrid.
- How big is The Surrender of Breda?
- The original painting measures 307 × 367 cm (height × width).
- Who painted The Surrender of Breda and when?
- It was painted by Diego Velázquez between 1634 and 1635.
- Can I hang a reproduction of The Surrender of Breda at home?
- Yes. The work is in the public domain, so it can be freely reproduced. We offer it as a matte print in A4, A3, A2 (from €18.99) and as a ready-to-hang canvas (from €54.99), with free shipping to the EU.
Updated 21 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Message us through the shop and we will fix it.
