Portret van Maria de' Medici after 1610

Curator: Immediately, the sheer weight of history in this piece hits me. Look at the eyes of Maria de' Medici; what do you make of them? Editor: Well, before we dive into the soul-gazing, for our listeners, this is a print, an engraving made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger. It's titled "Portret van Maria de' Medici" and was created after 1610. What's striking to me is the elaborate ruff—the ultimate symbol of power and status! Curator: Oh, absolutely, the ruff is like a radiant halo framing her face, but her gaze...it's both regal and strangely vulnerable, wouldn't you say? There's a hint of melancholy behind the power. Editor: As there should be. Maria de' Medici's story is fraught with power struggles, betrayal, and exile. Considering her life as a queen in a male-dominated world, those eyes could very well be windows to resilience amidst adversity. Note the two putti that suspend the crown. Van de Passe alludes to the divine right to rule that underpinned monarchy at this moment. Curator: Exactly! She was a political force. But Van de Passe... he almost romanticizes her. It's not just a depiction of royalty; it feels like a commentary on the weight of that role. Like the engraver is hinting that only an angel would have undertaken this job. Editor: And do note the script at the bottom...that even mortals would be incapable of properly honoring this August Majesty which lives upon her face! But there's also an element of courtly flattery here, standard for commissioned portraits, playing into the theatre of power. But I find this print such an important look at Baroque ideals, with its combination of ornamentation and serious symbolism. Curator: It's the combination of both; of ornament and serious, of power and vulnerability. Perhaps Van de Passe captured not just a queen but a woman navigating a complicated world. Thanks to this particular tension, that makes this portrait fascinating. Editor: Yes. This engraving is far more than just an image—it’s a layered story about a complex historical figure in a world teeming with intrigue, which should serve as an inspiring provocation today.