On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01685
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- Marie de Medici, Queen of France
- Chronology
- 1622
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 130 cm x 108 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Dressed completely in black, with a
widow's headdress and simple
jewelry, Marie de Medici is
portrayed as the Queen Mother,
after having governed France as a
Reagent from 1610 to 1617.
As one of Rubens' most outstanding
patrons, the queen commissioned him
to decorate her Luxemburg Palace in
Paris with a series of works that
glorified her figure and that of
her husband, Henri IV. Rubens began
the present work with that end in
mind, but it was left unfinished,
as can be seen in the sketchy
background.
This painting belonged to the
artist until his death, and was
later acquired by Felipe IV.
Location on the map
