Who painted Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half]?

Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half] was painted by Simon van de Passe in 1621.

Where can I see Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half]?

Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half]?

Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half]

Simon van de Passe , 1621

Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half] is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Simon van de Passe. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1621 engraving by Simon van de Passe is one half of a commemorative silver medal, reproduced as a print. It depicts the right profile of Henry IV of France, rendered in fine linear detail through the intaglio technique. The image was struck from a metal die and transferred onto paper using ink, a method common for distributing royal portraiture in early modern Europe.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures Henry IV in his later years, with curled hair and a full beard, conveying dignity and authority.

The portrait captures Henry IV in his later years, with curled hair and a full beard, conveying dignity and authority. The ornate collar and suspended medallion suggest his royal status, while the Latin inscription 'ATYS VOY A LA GUERRE'—interpreted as 'I go to war'—alludes to his military leadership. The name 'HEMAS' may reference a patron, engraver, or symbolic figure tied to the medal’s commission.

Technique & Style

Executed in fine-line engraving, the image relies on precise incisions into a metal plate to create tonal variation and texture. The artist used controlled strokes to render hair, fabric, and metal details with clarity. The monochrome palette and restrained composition reflect the formal conventions of royal portraiture in early 17th-century Northern Europe, prioritizing accuracy over embellishment.

History & Provenance

Created in 1621, the engraving derives from a silver medal commissioned to honor Henry IV after his assassination in 1610. Simon van de Passe, a Dutch engraver active in the French court, produced multiple versions of the medal for distribution among nobility and diplomats. This print likely served as a circulating record of the monarch’s image in the years following his death.

Context

In the aftermath of Henry IV’s death, his widow Maria de’ Medici sought to legitimize her regency and reinforce dynastic continuity. Portraits and medals of the late king were widely circulated to affirm stability and royal authority. Van de Passe’s work fits within a broader visual campaign to memorialize Henry IV as a unifying, martial figure during a period of political fragility.

Legacy

The engraving survives as a documentary artifact of early modern royal iconography. Though not widely exhibited today, it remains a key example of how print media extended the reach of state-sponsored imagery beyond elite circles. Van de Passe’s technique influenced later portrait engravers, preserving the visual language of monarchy through reproducible formats.