Who painted The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris?

The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in 1627.

Where can I see The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris?

The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris?

The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris?

Museum-quality prints of The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris

Peter Paul Rubens , 1627

The Triumphal Entry of Henry IV into Paris is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Peter Paul Rubens’ large‑scale canvas, completed in 1627, measures roughly 3.7 by 6.9 metres and depicts the ceremonial arrival of Henry IV in Paris in 1594. The composition is dominated by the monarch on horseback, surrounded by a bustling crowd and architectural arches that frame the celebratory atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work records the moment Henry IV, clad in richly detailed armor and holding a scepter, entered the capital after his coronation. Figures crowd the streets, some gazing upward in admiration, others gesturing or conversing, underscoring the public’s reception of the king’s restored authority and the political reconciliation his rule symbolised.

Technique & Style

Rubens employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing illuminated figures against darker architectural elements to model volume and heighten drama. The palette leans toward muted earth tones—browns, grays, and touches of gold—while the vigorous brushwork conveys movement within the dense, celebratory crowd.

History & Provenance

The canvas was acquired in 1686 by Cosimo III de’ Medici, who also obtained its companion piece, Henry IV at the Battle of Ivry. Both paintings entered the Uffizi Gallery’s collection in 1773, where they have remained on display in Florence, forming a linked narrative of the French monarch’s military and civic triumphs.