Education of the Princess is a painting from the cycle of 24 pieces of art commissioned by Marie de' Medici, wife to King Henry IV of France. When Henry was assassinated in 1610, Louis XIII, his son and successor to the throne, was only ten years old. Marie, became his regent. Rubens had to glorify the mundane aspects and sensitively illustrate the less favorable events in Marie's life. Here he depicted a growing Marie at study. Education is given a divine grace by the presence of three gods Apollo, Athena, and Hermes. Apollo being associated with art, Athena with wisdom, and Hermes the messenger god for fluency and understanding of language. Also present are the three graces, Euphrosyne, Aglaea, and Thalia giving her beauty.
Education of the Princess
oil on canvas • 394 × 295 cm
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Peter Paul Rubens