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Abstract: The Marquis of Carpio Gaspar de Haro y Guzman VII (Madrid 1629-Naples 1687), ambassador to Rome (1677-1683) and Viceré of Naples (1683-1687), was undoubtedly one of the most prominent Spanish diplomats of the seventeenth century, due to the role he played in both politics and art patronage and collection. The essay higlights Carpio's complex project for a > and how his interest in all visual arts and his political activity were somewhat complementary. The years at the Roman embassy — the main events of that period are presented in connection with Pope Innocent XI’s policies — were fundamental for his political and artisic maturity. The cultural events and performances he promoted counter-balanced his often unpopular resolute and efficient political action. The marriage of art and politics became the subject first for a drawing - attributed to Philipp Schorr - and later in Naples, for a majestic carnival float depicting the famous Mountain of Alexander the Great. The essay outlines the history of this iconographic theme, which combines power and the diffusion of culture, in an attempt to prove the importance it had for Carpio.