6. The Disembarkation at Marseilles 1625

Oh, the drama! 🎭 The Disembarkation at Marseilles, also called The Arrival of Marie de Medici at Marseille, was painted by the celebrated Flemish Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens between 1622 and 1625. Rubens lived from 1577 to 1640 and was a hugely prolific painter, producing almost 1500 works during his lifetime. This included 24 grand paintings commissioned by the Queen of France, Marie de’ Medici (1575-1642). Marie de’ Medici belonged to the House of Medici, a hugely influential Italian family who had dominated Florentine politics from the 15th century. The Disembarkation at Marseilles is a prime example of these Marie de’ Medici Cycle paintings. The painting depicts the Queen’s ship arriving into a port in Southern France in the year 1600, just prior to her marriage to the French King Henry IV. Marie, dressed in sumptuous white silk, is met by a host of figures who gesture and bow to her. Here, Rubens uses his signature dynamic compositions to build a tone of grandeur and theatricality. He emphasises the movement of the figures, creating an impressive contrast with the poise and dignity of the Queen. This sense of drama is further created by Rubens’ handling of light and shadow, which builds depth and three-dimensionality. Take a look at the mythological figures, including the Roman god Neptune, who make up the lower half of the canvas. The use of light is almost sculptural. This painting glorifies an important scene in the life of the Queen. Rubens turns his back on realism and includes mythological references to emphasise Marie’s power and majesty. This was an attempt to alter public opinion about the foreign Queen and cement her right to rule. The size of the canvas, at a huge 394 x 295 cm, further builds this dramatic tone of strength and magnificence. If you could choose any artist to paint a scene from your life, who would you go for? 🧑‍🎨 Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham