The Presentation of the Portrait of Marie de' Medici to Henry IV of France
Artistafter
Peter Paul Rubens
(Flemish, 1577 - 1640)
Artistdrafted by
Jean-Marc Nattier
(French, 1685 – 1766)
Artistengraving by
Jean Audran
(French, 1667 – 1756)
Publisher
Jean-Marc Nattier
(French, 1685 – 1766)
Date1710
MediumEngraving
ClassificationPrints
ProvenanceGift to the RMA Library in 1964, transferred to Collection in 1982.
Credit LineGift of E.O. Korany, 1964
Object numberSN8956.4
This engraving from The Ringling's collection reproduces a famous painting by Peter Paul Rubens, the great Flemish master of the 17th century. In 1621, Marie de' Medici, widow of King Henry IV of France, commissioned Rubens to paint a cycle of large-scale paintings for her residence, the Luxembourg Palace in Paris. The cycle, which consists of 24 paintings (now in the Louvre), depicts important moments in Marie's life. In 1702, the French monarchy gave permission for the paintings to be translated into engravings, and the series was published in 1710.
In Rubens's allegorical conception, Henry IV is shown a portrait of Marie, his future wife, by Hymenaeus, the god of marriage, with help from winged Amor. Behind Henry, a helmeted personification of France encourages the match, while Jupiter and Juno bestow their approval from above.
Though Henry is shown in armor, the caption accompanying the print notes that the two putti at bottom have taken his helmet and shield, removing the instruments of war so that the kingdom may enjoy a long period of peace.
On View
Not on viewSheet: 23 7/8 × 17 1/4 in. (60.6 × 43.8 cm)
Peter Paul Rubens