The Triumph of Henry IV c. 1630

Peter Paul Rubens made this painting, The Triumph of Henry IV, with oil on canvas. It allegorically depicts the return of Henry IV to Paris after the end of the French Wars of Religion. Rubens was a court painter. Here, Henry rides in a chariot like an ancient Roman emperor, signaling his power. Winged figures above him carry a laurel wreath, signifying victory. At the bottom, we see a figure of the subjugated Old Regime. The painting tells us something about the role of artists and painting in the 17th century. They were often commissioned by the rich and powerful to produce idealized images of their subjects. In doing so, institutions such as the court promoted particular political viewpoints. The painting can be better understood by researching French history and the patronage system in the 17th Century. This allows us to understand the role of the artist in shaping the social and political discourse of his time.