Iron plate, gold and silver damascene representing... Lot 78

Iron plate, gold and silver damascene representing Marie de Medici in bust. The wife of Henri IV, still young, is in court dress, her head surrounded by a large lace collar, her hair up and curled, strewn with cabochons of jewels, decorated with an aigrette and a diadem; she is wearing a great deal of jewellery: earrings, a necklace of pearls, cabochons and pearls covering her pourpoint, and a ring worn on the index finger of the hand holding a fan. Paris, workshop of Guillaume Dupré (Sissone, ca. 1576 - Paris, 1643), early 17th century Height: 18.1 cm - Width: 14.1 cm Book consulted: Exposition Blois 2003-2004, Marie de Médicis, un gouvernement par les arts, château, cat. 24. This portrait of Marie de Médicis does not seem to have been inspired by the medals known to have been made by Dupré, which depict her in profile and with a chin that is weighed down by the years. She is shown still young, at the age of her portrait in the company of Grand Duke Ferdinand I of Tuscany, around 1600 (Musée Thomas-Henri, Cherbourg, inv. 835-74, fig.). Here she is adorned with lace and jewels, in all the magnificence of a young queen.