Princeton University Press. Related: Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England. Instead it is left to an Amazon-like vision of Providence/Fate. Hymen holds in his left hand a flaming torch, symbolizing the ardor of love, while Cupid extols the virtues of the Medici princess. Her name is Marie de' Medici, daughter of the Grandduke of Tuscany. [29], As a narrative source for the Marie de' Medici cycle Rubens used an ancient genera of writing in which ideal kingship, and good government were explored. In the mid 1600s, she planted roots in Cologne after her friend Peter Paul Rubens loaned her a house there. [35] The Regency was officially ended following the Lit de justice of 2 October 1614, which declared that Louis XIII had attained his legal majority of age, but Marie then became head of the Conseil du Roi and retained all her control over the government. More than once, the artistic license of the painter was curbed in order to portray Marie in the right light. "[119] Marie and Henry's separate wings were designed to meet in an arcade that would unite the two galleries. In particular, she tried to attract several large-scale artists to Paris: she brought in The Annunciation by Guido Reni, was offered a suite of Muses painted by Giovanni Baglione, invited the painter Orazio Gentileschi (who stayed in Paris during two years, during 16231625), and especially the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, who was commissioned by her to create a 21-piece series glorifying her life and reign to be part of her art collection in the Luxembourg Palace. This matter is addressed very clearly in the video that precedes this essay (Harris and Zucker talking in front of the painting). WebHappy to read and share the best inspirational Marie De Medici quotes, sayings and quotations on Wise Famous Quotes. Direct link to CielAllen08's post Is there a book about Kin, Posted 7 years ago. The last painting in the cycle, The Triumph of Truth, is a purely allegorical depiction of King Louis XIII and his mother, the Queen, reconciling before heaven. The Queen accepts an orb, a symbol of government, from the personification of France while the people kneel before her and this scene is a great example of the exaggeration of facts in the cycle. Thanks for your help! Marie de' Medici was banished from Paris in 1631 as Cardinal Richelieu gained power over Louis XIII. [14] The very next day (14 May), Henry IV was assassinated by Franois Ravaillac - which immediately raised suspicions of a conspiracy.[15]. That was one of Brian De Palma's best movies. On the left, Jupiter and Saturn are shown welcoming the assassinated King of France, as he ascends as a personified Roman sovereign, victoriously to Olympus. What is also known as a parade boat, Rubens referencing Horace's boat, is adorned with a dragon on front and dolphins on the stern. Of her five elder sisters, only the eldest, Eleonora (born 28 February 1567) and the third, Anna (born 31 December 1569) survived infancy. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Accordingly, Marie would outright reject suitors in the blink of an eyeuntil, that is, she met her match at last. Is there a book about King Henry and his future wife Marie de Medici? Sense some sinister foreshadowing here? [82], The remaining three paintings are portraits of Marie de' Medici, her father Francesco I and her mother Johanna of Austria. Because it was a marriage by proxy, a common practice of the time where either the bride, groom, or both arent actually present, Marie had still never met King Henry at the moment he became her official husband. Shed waited a long time to find her equalbut this wasnt the fairy tale it sounds like. Also present are the three graces, Euphrosyne, Aglaea, and Thalia giving her beauty. In 1532, the family gained the hereditary title of Duke of Florence. Both figures ignore the King. [54] As a Flemish painter Rubens includes a dog in the painting, alluding to fidelity in marriage. It is melody and song as Rubens combines heaven and Earth, history and allegory into a symphony for the eyes of the viewer. The portrait of the Queen's mother, Johanna of Austria, is on the left at the place where visitors enter. Sadly, Henrys breathtaking acts of cruelty knew no bounds. In addition to the idea of political peace Rubens also includes the personification of Justice, Astraea. [13] However, the Medici commission was welcomed by Rubens as an opportunity to apply his skills within a secular scene. His victorious army rushes in chaotically behind him; horses rearing and riders falling. She wrote extensively, especially to her children and to other powerful European leaders. However her bottom half, most notably her exposed calves and Roman boots hints at a masculinity. Below, Saturn raises Veritas to heaven which symbolizes truth being, "brought to the light", as well as the reconciliation between the Queen and her son. The model, or overall design, for this portrait of Johanna of Austria goes back to a painting by Alessandro Allori that was then copied by Giovanni Bizzelli. Sadly, though, she had already made one fatal error. To add insult to injury, the whole time Henry had been playing White Knight with Marie and sending her love letters, he had been sending almost the exact same letters to Henriette, saying he wanted to kiss her a million times. It only got more tense from there. [15], Rubens's Medici commission was an inspiration for other artists as well, particularly the French painters Jean-Antoine Watteau (16841721) and Franois Boucher (17031770) who produced copies from the Medici cycle. Completed in 1625, this is the final painting in the cycle in terms of chronological order of completion. Marie receives ultimate vindication by being re-admitted to the Council of State in January 1622. [84], Here Marie is shown in allegorical fashion as the personification of Justice itself and flanked by a retinue of some of the primary personifications/gods in the Greek and Roman pantheon. [26], This painting is a representation of a historical event in the life of the Queen where the King and the Queen were crowned at the basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris. Yet Marie hadnt given up, not by a long shot. Add a one-line explanation of what this file represents. From practically the moment she was born in 1575, Marie de Medici didnt mess around. Early Europe and Colonial Americas: 200-1750 C.E. Aware that he could not avoid the formation of plots as long as his mother remained in exile, the King accepted her return to court. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. The crowd below in the basilica raise their hands in acclamation of the new Queen, and above, the classical personifications of Abundantia and a winged Victoria shower the blessings of peace and prosperity upon the head of Marie by pouring the golden coins of Jupiter. Louis' mother, Marie, acted as his regent as commanded by the Frankish Salic law in case of an infant ruler. Although Louis had come of age in 1614, Marie stubbornly refused to cede an ounce of power to her bouncing baby boy, remaining the de facto ruler of France long past her expiration date. Somewhat understandably, then, Henriette was absolutely livid at the betrayal. Marie subsequently traveled to Cologne, where she took refuge in a house loaned by her friend Pierre-Paul Rubens. The codex includes 3 full-size illuminations, 42 full-page miniatures, countless historiated or golden initials, and borders feature Flemish and Italianate flowers. The scene is painted with a variety of mythological figures. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. France declined to receive her. Louis Beroud - Salle Ruben musee du Louvre 1904.jpg 1,500 1,002; 272 KB. Consorts to debatable or disputed rulers are in, sfn error: no target: CITEREFDelorme2003 (. Her humble, yet all-knowing gaze conveys the wisdom that she holds. Marie was an enormous patron of the arts, and she extended her wealth to a whole host of painters and sculptors throughout her life. [96] Overall, this painting is the most problematic or controversial, as well as the least understood out of the entire cycle. He is shown in the center of the scene raising a flaming sword. Henry's painting, beginning the West Wall of the gallery, depicts the scenes following the capture of Paris. The 43-year-old Queen Mother of France escaped the Chateau by scaling a wall with a rope ladder, then dropped into the arms of waiting conspirators, who rushed her away to another castle. The scene is rich with symbolism highlighting her heroism and victory. - Cleugh; Interests Eventually, Louis realized that if he wanted to get any calm in his kingdom, hed have to mollify her somehow. [79] In the upper part of the image Victoria appears crowning her with laurel leaves which is a symbol of victory. Marie didnt forget about her Italian cadre of friends when she was at the top, and she promoted Leonora Dori and her husband Concino Concini to high ranks, most flagrantly creating Concini as a Marshal of France despite the little fact that hed never fought in a single, solitary battle. In a patriarchal society, that would not be wise of the young monarch to give up her political power. In fact, it was around this time she came up with the final, ridiculous scheme of her life. However, a few weeks later, Henrietta d'Entragues also produced a son, and Henry not only made just as much fuss over this son but declared that he was better-looking, not fat and dark like Louis and the Medici. All of these symbols, Rubens displayed in this ambiguous and enigmatic painting to represent or "misrepresent" Marie de' Medici in the manner that portrayed her as the prudent, yet caring and humble mother of a young and nave monarch. Nevertheless, Marie's rule was strengthened by the appointment of Armand Jean du Plessis (later Cardinal Richelieu)who had come to prominence at the meetings of the Estates Generalas Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 5 November 1616. Marie de' Medici (French: Marie de Mdicis, Italian: Maria de' Medici; 26 April 1575 3 July 1642), was Queen of France as the second wife of King Henry IV of France, of the House of Bourbon and Regent of the Kingdom of France officially during 16101614 and de facto until 1617. A parchment Prayer Book belonging to Marie de' Medici has artwork that may date from the 15th century, but is also remarkable for its canivet cuttings. In the spring of 1617, Louis finally ousted his mother from the throne in a coup detat, exiling her to the remote Chateau de Blois and executing her ally Concino Concini in the process. Her son Louis XIII died on May 14. Somehow, though, she would wait 13 long years to find a manand her relationship woes might not be for the reason youd think. However, Marie undertook to cement the alliance with Spain and to ensure respect for the theses of the Council of Trent. This personality problem did not help matters in Maries huge family feud to come. Afterwards she was offered an Indonesian rice table by the burgomaster, Albert Burgh. King Henry IV was able to pay off his debts thanks to her marriage and the large dowry he This, along with its setting makes it difficult to figure out the subject matter of the work. Moreover, they are considered to be far from "likenesses" of either sitter. In the Louvre, the Queen had a luxurious apartment on the first floor fitted out, then moved in 1614 to a new apartment on the ground floor, which she had adorned with panels and paintings by Ambroise Dubois, Jacob Bunel, Guillaume Dume, and Gabriel Honnet on the theme of Jerusalem Delivered of Torquato Tasso (whose translation by Antoine de Nervze was Marie's first reading in French). Her marriage with King Henry IV enabled him to pay off his debts with the huge dowry that he Henry obliges; his helmet and shieldnow the playthings of two tender cherubslie at his feet. And she was just getting started. WebQuite the feat. Now orphaned, Maria was considered the richest heiress in Europe.[7]. Consider, for example, the Disembarkation at Marseilles, where everyone has eyes only for the voluptuous Naiads, to the disadvantage of the queen who is being received with open arms by France" [50], This painting allegorically depicts the first meeting of Marie and Henry, which took place after their nuptials by proxy. Gortner, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici. She is paired with Marie by the color of their hair, and similarly Louis is paired with Religion, or the Order of the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile, Jupiter and Juno are sitting atop clouds looking down on Henry as they provide the viewer a key example of marital harmony and thus show approval for the marriage. [77], The Victory at Jlich shows the only military event that the Queen participated in during her regency: the return of Jlich (or Juliers in French) to the Protestant princes. [48] The scene takes place below a marble statue, which depicts God the Father mourning over the dead body of Christ, alluding to the Pieta sculpture by Baccio Bandinelli (14931560). She gently touches Henrys shoulder and whispers in his ear, assuring him that a match with the Medici princess is indeed good for the kingdom. tags: love , medici. During her last years, Marie travelled to various European courts, in the Spanish Netherlands (the ruler of which, Isabella Clara Eugenia, and the ambassador Balthazar Gerbier tried to reconcile her with Richelieu), in England at the court of her daughter Queen Henrietta Maria for three years (staying en route to London in Gidea Hall) and then in Germany; with her daughters and sons-in-law where she tried again to form a "league of sons-in-law" against France, without ever being able to return, and her supporters were imprisoned, banished or condemned to death. Shown in the upper part of the viewer Posted 7 years ago re-admitted! 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