On February 26, 1622, Peter Paul Rubens was commissioned by Maria de’ Medici, The Queen Mother of France, to create two cycles of paintings for the Luxembourg Palace. The first cycle was completed in 1625, but the second cycle, Life of Henry IV, experienced multiple setbacks. Over the years, Cardinal Richelieu unsuccessfully tried to give the commission to other artists. In 1628, Rubens finally began sketching for the cycle. In 1630, he began to paint canvases, but was told his measurements were incorrect. By 1631, Rubens still had not been told the measurements of the gallery and abandoned the project.

This sketch is based on an event that took place on April 30, 1589, in the palace garden of the Château of Plessis-les-Tours. King Henry III decided to reconcile with Henry of Navarre and recognize him as heir. In the sketch, Rubens placed the characters in a throne room and incorporated many symbolic motifs. Both Henrys jointly grip the scepter of France with their right hands. Their clasped hands appear again in the center of a wreath atop a pole held by a winged figure. The figure, believed to represent Concord, holds back two approaching figures thought to be personifications of Fraud and Discord. Rubens also includes the transfer of the crown from the king to his heir, which didn’t actually happen until Henry III was assassinated on August 1, 1589. Although Rubens had created roughly five canvases for the cycle, no painting based on this sketch is known.

 

Visit the following page for bibliographic references about this portrait: http://smalltreasures.as.ua.edu/annotated-bibliography-the-reconciliation-of-king-henry-iii-and-henry-of-navarre/

 

By Megan Smith