The monument was created between 1594 and 1598 by Simone Moschino (1533-1610), commissioned by Cardinal Odoardo Farnese (1553-1610), who at the time was busy completing the decoration of the family palazzo in Rome. It depicts Captain Alessandro Farnese (1545-1592) in ancient dress, being crowned by Victory for having guided the people of Flanders (now Belgium) back to Catholicism.