Portrait of Marie de Medici as Justice 1600s

Curator: Marie de Medici as Justice, a print by Thomas de Leu, circa 1600, presents a powerful image. What do you make of it? Editor: She looks so burdened, almost crushed by the weight of the Fleur-de-lis robe, which is not a good look for Justice! Curator: The symbols are layered: the scales of justice, the sword, and the angels—classic allegorical figures representing power, judgment, and divine right. The verse at the bottom reinforces her ability to rule with both arms and laws. Editor: But the robe does not scream justice, it screams power and extravagance. I wonder, is this about actual justice or the theater of it? Curator: Exactly! The portrait reveals a tension between the ideal of justice and the realities of royal power, and the cultural memory associated with it. Editor: It's like a beautifully rendered performance, all surface, begging the question: what lies beneath? Curator: A good question to ponder! Editor: Indeed, a perfect ending note.