Conservation of Peter Paul Rubens’ “Marie de’ Medici Cycle”

Marie de’ Medici, born in Florence in 1575, became Queen of France in 1600 through her marriage to King Henri IV. After his assassination in 1610, she served as Regent for her son, Louis XIII, while he was still underage. Although her formal regency ended in 1614 when Louis XIII turned 13, she continued to wield power, prompting her son to assert control and exile her in 1617. It was not until 1621 that the two reconciled. Upon her return, she was relegated to the Palais du Luxembourg and commissioned Peter Paul Rubens to create a monumental series of 24 paintings, celebrating her life and political legacy.

This renowned cycle, rich in allegory and symbolism, is Rubens’ largest and one of the most significant achievements of Baroque art. Housed at the Louvre since 1790, it now resides in a dedicated gallery designed in 1993. Over four centuries later, the paintings face urgent conservation needs due to the effects of climate, light, and pollutants.

For the first time, all 24 works have undergone detailed analysis, led by an Italian conservation laboratory, Thierry Radelet. These studies revealed widespread and gradual degradation, including weakened canvas supports, faded pigments, and surface grime, prompting a comprehensive three-year restoration plan. The work will include structural support, cleaning of discolored varnish and overpaint, and targeted retouching where losses have occurred. AFL is proud to partner with lead funder, the Société des Amis du Louvre, to support this historic restoration and renovation work.

This landmark project seeks not only to restore the cycle to its original splendor but also to provide a rare opportunity to advance our understanding of Rubens’ artistic technique and Marie de’ Medici’s carefully constructed political image. Donors have the unique privilege of “adopting” one of these remarkable paintings, with contributions directly supporting the restoration of their chosen work of art.