MARIE DE MEDICI

DUPRÉ, Guillaume: France, 1624, Bronze, 101 mm
Obv: Bust of Marie de Medici in court dress
Legend:    MARIA AVGVSTA GALLIAE NAVARAE REGINA (retrograde)
Rev: Uniface
Signed:  G DVPRE F 1624
Ref: Kress 568; Jones Vol 2, No. 59; Mazarolle II, no. 696;  Europese Penningen # 1786

Marie de Medici (1573-1642) was born in Florence, the daughter of Francis de Medici, grand duke of Tuscany, and Joanna, an Austrian Archduchess. She married Henry IV of France in 1600 and became queen consort. Her children included her eldest son, who became Louis XIII, Gaston duke of Orleans, Elizabeth queen of Spain, Christine duchess of Savoy and Henrietta Maria queen of England. She became queen regent of France upon the murder of Henry IV in 1610. In 1616 Cardinal Richelieu entered her councils.
The inversion of the legend may have intended to suggest that her titles, legible only in a mirror, are merely a reflection of the glory of her son.

LINK to Biography of Marie de Medici (from Wikipedia)

LINK to Portrait of Marie de Medici, Queen of France by Peter Paul Rubens (from ARC International)

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