 |
| Exhibited at Louvre, Paris, 1622-1625 credit here |
Opinion: I have always loved fantasy and Ruben’s piece has a certain whimsicalness that draws me in. Looking at the individuals in the water, I am reminded of mermaids and sea creatures. The grandeur of the arrival makes me think of kings and queens in a faraway land.
Theory: The Arrival of Marie de’Medici at Marseilles was painted by Rubens during the Baroque period. A friend of the court, Rubens made many portraits and often used mythological themes. This particular painting is actually considered a historical document- the arrival of Marie de’Medici in southern France to marry a French king. Characteristic of the Baroque period, Rubens loved pomp and drama, which is shown by: depicting her arriving in elegant/ flamboyant clothing, the extravagance of the golden vessel, and his marrying of real figures with mythological figures. He is showing that heaven and below the ocean are celebrating her arrival. His distortion of the women creates movement and theatricality. Additionally, the classical building in the background adds prestige to the piece (Madame Oyler).
No comments:
Post a Comment