2-930-467 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Henri IV jouant avec ses enfants au moment où l'ambassadeur d'Espagne est admis en sa présence, 1817. Henry IV Receiving the Spanish Ambassador. The king of France plays with his children as the bemused ambassador arrives. Queen Marie de' Medici sits on a throne while the children climb over her husband. Despite the familiarity of the scene, the dignity and rank of the children is indicated by the hat with the white plume, and the sword of nobility. The presence of the Spanish ambassador, who wears the Order of the Golden Fleece, is an allusion to the Conde de Blancas, commissioner of the painting. On the back wall is the "Virgin of the chair" by Raphaël, a tribute to the Italian master admired by Ingres.