Henry IV of France, Margaret of France and Queen Marie de Medici, 1842

An original antique lithograph, hand colored, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows the bearded king in a white ruff, black doublet and full black trunk hose, a blue ribbon with a cross hanging across his chest and a plumed hat in his hand, and beside him a lady in a jeweled headdress with a long veil, a gold bodice and sleeves set with red stones, a white skirt with a gold embroidered hem and a long chain with a cross. The lower image shows a queen in a pale yellow gown with a standing lace collar, puffed yellow sleeves and white gloves, and a bearded soldier in an open helmet, brown doublet and breeches and white stockings, a bandolier of powder charges across his body, leaning on a long gun.

The top margin is lettered "Tom. IV", "FRANCIA" and "Tav 21". Under the upper image: "Enrico IV" (Henry IV) and "Margherita di Francia" (Margaret of France). Under the lower image: "Regina Maria de' Medici" (Queen Marie de' Medici) and "Soldato" (Soldier).

Henry IV, the first Bourbon king, ruled France from 1589 until his assassination in 1610. Marie de' Medici, of the Florentine Medici family, married him in 1600 and governed as regent for their son Louis XIII after his death. The plate pairs the court dress of the period, with its ruffs and stiff bodices, with the plainer outfit of a soldier armed with a long gun.

A good choice for a reader of French history or for a dressing room.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.