Isabella Clara Eugenia was a daughter of King Philip II of Spain from his marriage with Élisabeth of Valois. Her father made her the sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, a position she assumed together with her husband, Archduke Albrecht, previously the governor-general of the region. After Albrecht’s death in 1621, she retained the position of governor. Albrecht and Isabella were notable benefactors of the arts and artists and engaged Peter Paul Rubens as court painter.