Fotoreproductie van een gravure van Apotheose Hendrik IV en de huldiging van Maria de'Medici door Jean-Marc Nattier, naar het schilderij door Peter Paul Rubens before 1864

This is a reproduction of a print after Peter Paul Rubens's depiction of the apotheosis of Henri IV and the regency of Marie de Medici. Made in France, the image serves as propaganda, cementing the legitimacy of the royal family at a time of great political instability. Rubens, a master of the Baroque style, uses dynamic composition and allegory to portray the monarchs as divinely sanctioned rulers. The scene blends classical and Christian motifs, elevating the king and queen to near-mythical status. This style reinforces the idea of hereditary monarchy as part of the natural order. Understanding this image requires looking at the socio-political context of early modern France. Royal patronage of the arts was central to solidifying power, and the visual vocabulary of the image reflects these power dynamics. As historians, we delve into archives, scrutinize texts, and analyze the cultural codes of the time, to shed light on the complex interplay of art, power, and society.