Viceroyalty school. Peru. 18th century. “Disquisitions of Pope Pius V with Philip II during the Council of Trent.” Oil on canvas. 101 x 159 cm.   Historical canvas that reflects the conflict between the popes and King Philip II of Spain during the sixteenth century. Philip II, known as “the Prudent King”, ruled Spain from 1556 until his death in 1598. During his reign, the Spanish monarch sought to consolidate the power of his kingdom and defend the Catholic faith against the Protestant Reformation that was spreading throughout Europe. The most relevant pope in this conflict was the Pontiff Pius V, seated on the left under a canopy,  He was head of the Catholic Church from 1566 until his death in 1572. Pius V considered Philip II a natural ally in the fight against Protestantism, but he was also critical of some of the Spanish monarch's policies. One of the main disputes between this pope and Philip II centered on the Spanish Inquisition. The Spanish king used this instrument to persecute heretics and maintain Catholic orthodoxy in his kingdom. However, the popes considered the Spanish Inquisition to be too severe and abusive in its exercise of power. Despite the differences and clashes, the conflict between the popes and Philip II did not reach a point of total rupture. Both sides understood the importance of maintaining a diplomatic relationship and sought solutions to their differences with a more amicable relationship and peaceful solutions to their discrepancies. In the painting we can contemplate Philip II, dressed as a King (with cape and ermine) appearing before the Pope, wearing the Golden Fleece as a symbol of his authority and royalty, and of his defense of the Catholic Church.  This is the scene in which he is called to chapter by Pope Pius V, and appears before him, with all his court, in the middle of the Council of Trent. The attitude of the pope is conciliatory, almost of blessing, and the hieratism of the Prudent Philip II speaks of his submission and acceptance of what the Roman Church imposes on him, in spite of his different ideas. The rest of the ecclesiastical figures and companions of the monarch can be contemplated in a room which has classical architecture, in an attitude of chat, discussion, confrontation, dialogue, making the moment much more active, as if it were captured in a snapshot.