Maria de Medici 1638

Gerard van Honthorst’s 1638 painting, "Maria de Medici", is a classic example of Baroque portraiture. The work depicts Maria de Medici, Queen of France, in a grand and dignified manner. Dressed in a rich black gown with a white lace collar and cuffs, Maria sits on a throne-like platform with a crown resting on a chest beside her. Above her, cherubs hold a bouquet of flowers, further enhancing the sense of royalty and divine favor. Van Honthorst, a Dutch painter known for his mastery of chiaroscuro, utilizes dramatic contrasts of light and shadow to highlight Maria’s features and create a sense of depth. This portrait, while showcasing Maria’s power and status, also hints at her later years of exile and hardship.