Artwork

Marie de Medici

Marie de Medici, by French 17th Century, ink, 1650
Marie de Medici, by French 17th Century, ink, 1650

Marie de Medici is an ink print by the Baroque artist French 17th Century. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This engraving, titled 'Marie de Medici', is a print that combines portraiture and narrative elements. It features a seated woman surrounded by a dense arrangement of small scenes and Latin text.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Marie de Medici, is depicted in a rich dress, holding an object. The surrounding scenes and text likely recount events from her life, suggesting the print is a celebration of her historical significance.

Technique & Style

The image is created using cross-hatching, a technique that builds up detail and depth through the use of closely spaced lines. The resulting print is characterized by sharp lines and nuanced shading.

Artist & collection

Portrait of French 17th Century

Artist

French 17th Century

Seventeenth-century French printmakers turned ink into story. Their tools were burin and acid, paper their stage. Look at the Beggar Woman with Rosary (1622), etched on laid paper, her hands folded around faith, or The…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.