Antique Print-RUBENS-HENRY IV-MARIAGE-PORTRAIT-MARIE DE MEDICIS-Benoist-1873

Engraving / stipple engraving / etching combination on chine-collee attached to a vellin type of paper. on paper.

Size in cm: The overall size is ca. 30.5 x 48 cm. The image size is ca. 22.5 x 30 cm. Size in inch: The overall size is ca. 12 x 18.9 inch. The image size is ca. 8.9 x 11.8 inch.

Plate : ‘Henry IV delibere sur son futur mariage.’ (The Presentation of her Portrait to Henry IV). This plate shows an engraving after a painting by Rubens. Henry IV falls in love with a painted image. With Amor the Cupid as his escort, Hymenaios, the god of marriage, displays the princess Marie on canvas to her future king and husband. 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. A personification of France is shown behind Henry in her helmet, her left hand showing support, sharing in his admiration of the future sovereignty. This original antique print originates from ‘Musee du Louvre. Galerie de Rubens dite du Luxembourg composee des vingt-quatre tableaux de la vie de Marie de Medicis graves sur acier par les premiers artistes …’, with text by S. de Saint-Planchez, published in Paris c. 1873 by Gustave Guerin (first published 1809). This work shows and describes paintings from the Rubens Luxembourg Gallery in the Louvre Museum, depicting the life of Maria de Medici, widow of King Henri IV, engraved by the foremost artists.Artists and Engravers: Benoist, engraver.

Condition: Good. General age related toning. Please study scan carefully.

Keywords: ANTIQUE PRINT-RUBENS-HENRY IV-MARIAGE-PORTRAIT-MARIE DE MEDICIS-BENOIST

PCOX-E4-43