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A Legacy of Women: An Autobiographical Approach to Peter Paul Rubens' Life Cycle of Marie de' Medici

Winner, Kirsten Girio
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1556539988794848

Abstract Details

2019, MA, Kent State University, College of the Arts / School of Art.
Lived experience is a critical ingredient in the creation of artistic production. Without it, art would indeed be dull and would lack the ability to connect with the viewer, due to the unrealistic presentation of the scene. This paper looks at the acclaimed Life Cycle of Marie de’ Medici by Peter Paul Rubens and applies an autobiographical approach in reading the paintings. Rubens’ life experiences, including an undeniably substantial influence from his mother and her life, are predominantly present in this series. In making this twenty-four-image cycle, Rubens was intuitively aware that the reaction provoked by these paintings would influence the view of the French people about the Queen Mother, Marie de’ Medici. Based upon an in depth analysis between the paintings and biography, it is astonishing how closely linked the Life Cycle of Marie de’ Medici is with the life of Rubens and his mother, Maria. This thesis concentrates on the close connection between the artist and his own mother, which is translated into the inspiration behind this series of paintings. While there does appear to be some correlations between certain specific events in the life of Marie de’ Medici and Rubens’ mother, the focus for this thesis has been looking at Rubens’ mother as the inspirational spirit behind the depictions in this cycle and how this influence contributes to the overall theme of triumph over adversity.
Gustav Medicus, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Albert Reischuck, M.A. (Committee Member)
Shana Klein, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Joseph Underwood, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
John-Michael Warner, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
92 p.
Art History
Peter Paul Rubens, Marie de Medici

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Winner, K. G. (2019). A Legacy of Women: An Autobiographical Approach to Peter Paul Rubens' Life Cycle of Marie de' Medici [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1556539988794848

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Winner, Kirsten . A Legacy of Women: An Autobiographical Approach to Peter Paul Rubens' Life Cycle of Marie de' Medici. 2019. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1556539988794848.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Winner, Kirsten . "A Legacy of Women: An Autobiographical Approach to Peter Paul Rubens' Life Cycle of Marie de' Medici." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1556539988794848

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1556539988794848
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.