Archduke Ernest of Austria

Archduke Ernest of Austria (Ernst von Österreich; 15 June 1553 – 20 February 1595) was an Austrian prince, the son of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, and Maria of Spain.

Biography
Born in Vienna, he was educated with his brother Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, in the court of Spain. He was a candidate in the 1573 Polish–Lithuanian royal election for the throne of Poland. He lost his election as the Polish nobility feared that he might attempt to become an autocrat and revoke the privileges that Polish nobles enjoyed. From 1576 onwards, he was governor in the Archduchy of Austria, where he promoted the Counter-Reformation. In 1590, he became governor of Inner Austria as regent for his young cousin Ferdinand, and from 1594 to 1595 he served as Governor of the Spanish Netherlands.

He died in Brussels on 20 February 1595 and was eventually succeeded in the Netherlands by his brother Albert. Ernest owned the Months of the Year cycle series of works painted by Pieter Bruegel the Elder; one painting, High Spring (showing April or May) is lost):