Large projects for royal orders
by Peter Paul RUBENS

From the early 1620s Rubens was charged with royal orders from France and Spain for large and integrated projects: the Medici series (1622—25), the Constantine series (1622—23), the Henry IV series (1625—28) and the series of the Eucharist (1625-27). The new energy of the High-Baroque must have seemed a very suitable medium with which to express the pursuit of magnificence and self-glorification of absolute monarchs. At the same time a new source of inspiration made its entry into Rubens's art: allegorical personification and typological association with Graeco-Roman mythology enabled the propagandist significance of these compositions to be made even more explicit. The numerous scenes in the Medici series (Paris, Louvre) are the first and perhaps the most striking examples of this propagandist blend of history and myth in Rubens's oeuvre.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 18 minutes):
George Frideric Handel: Fireworks Music

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
The Landing of Marie de Médicis at Marseilles
1623-25
Oil on canvas, 394 x 295 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

1050*1291
True Color
180 Kb



The Landing of Marie de Médicis at Marseilles (detail)
1623-25
Oil on canvas
Musée du Louvre, Paris

1347*980
True Color
151 Kb



The Meeting of Marie de Médicis and Henri IV at Lyon
1622-25
Oil on canvas, 394 x 295 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

950*1253
True Color
179 Kb



The Capture of Juliers
1622-25
Oil on canvas, 394 x 295 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

951*1200
True Color
203 Kb



The Happiness of the Regency
1623-25
Oil on canvas, 394 x 295 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

662*862
True Color
170 Kb



The Apotheosis of Henry IV and the Proclamation of the Regency of Marie de Médicis on May 14, 1610
1623-25
Oil on canvas, 394 x 727 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

800*439
True Color
69 Kb



The Apotheosis of Henry IV and the Proclamation of the Regency of Marie de Médicis on May 14, 1610 (detail)
1623-25
Oil on canvas
Musée du Louvre, Paris

900*1348
True Color
162 Kb



The Apotheosis of Henry IV and the Proclamation of the Regency of Marie de Médicis on May 14, 1610 (detail)
1623-25
Oil on canvas
Musée du Louvre, Paris

1022*1100
True Color
165 Kb



Marie de Médicis as Bellona
1622-25
Oil on canvas, 276 x 149 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

800*1546
True Color
172 Kb



The Fates Spinning Marie's Destiny
1622-25
Oil on canvas, 394 x 153 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

600*1613
True Color
123 Kb



The Triumph of Truth
1622-25
Oil on canvas, 394 x 160 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

600*1625
True Color
126 Kb



The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris
1627-30
Oil on canvas, 380 x 692 cm
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

1900*1042
True Color
267 Kb




Summary of works by Rubens
Religious themes
until 1616 | 1617-20 | 1620s | 1630s
Altarpieces in Antwerp Cathedral | Biblical scenes
Mythological themes
until 1614 | 1614-29 | 1630s
Large royal projects | Allegorical themes
Portraits
until 1629 | 1630s
Miscellaneous
Landscapes | Hunting and other themes
Graphic works | Architecture