Virgin Helps Louis XIII to Expel the Vices 1620 - 1650

This etching by French artist Grégoire Huret depicts a scene of religious allegory and political symbolism. The Virgin Mary appears in the heavens, with cherubs pulling down a banner bearing a crown. Below, Louis XIII is shown seated on a throne, surrounded by figures representing virtues and vices. Vices, like Ignorance and Vice, are being subdued by the King, assisted by the divine power of the Virgin Mary. This image captures a pivotal moment in 17th-century France, where religious devotion and royal authority intertwined. The intricate details and dramatic composition of the etching highlight the artistic mastery of Huret, a prominent figure in the French Baroque era.