20th century school.

20th century school. "Portrait of a knight with the Maltese cross and the order of Isabella the Catholic". Oil on canvas. Measurements: 61,5 x 50 cm. Portrait of an anonymous knight of the Order of Malta. Characteristic that is intuited by the presence of an octagonal cross of the Order of Malta, which is placed on the knight's chest. The portrait is notable for its sobriety and restraint, focusing attention on the model's face. Once they became rulers of the island, the Knights of Malta, as they came to be called, led the defence of the island against the Ottoman invasion in 1565. The Order figured in European history until well into the 19th century. During the Reformation, the Knights of Malta lost their property in England and Germany, and during the French Revolution, also their property in France. Despite Russia's promise of protection, the French, under Napoleon's rule, seized Malta. The Order moved its headquarters to Trieste in 1798, and to Rome in 1834. By that time, the Russians had already confiscated all the Order's property in their territories. According to Pope John XXIII's decree of approval in 1961. The Knights of Malta form a religious community and an order of chivalry. They are organised into five major organisations of priors, which in turn are subdivided into a large number of national associations. They maintain diplomatic relations with the Vatican and a number of other states. They maintain hospitals, first-aid centres, and others, where they care for war victims and refugees. They wear a black cloak on which is embroidered an eight-pointed Maltese cross. The Grand Master has the title of prince, and his ecclesiastical rank is equivalent to that of a cardinal.