The first quarter of the seventeenth century saw an explosion of artistic talent in the Habsburg Netherlands. Mannerist and elaborate forms of expression competed for dominance. Among the many artists of note, Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens immediately come to mind. This lecture will explore the Court of the Archduke Albert and Isabella's role in this fascinating period. On a mission to restore the legitimacy of Habsburg rule and the dominant position of Catholicism after a generation of civil war and religious turmoil, they harnessed the available artistic talents to serve these causes. Their patronage drew on many art forms, ranging from architecture and painting to other media such as tapestries, stained glass, and engravings. While some of their commissions have not survived, what has been preserved in situ or a whole range of museum collections testifies to the magnificence of their undertaking.