Cycle de Marie de Médicis. La Majorité de Louis XIII, October 20, 1614 (The Coming of the Age of Louis XIII) , 1621-1625

Between 1622 and 1625, the painter Pierre Paul Rubens (1577-1640) created a large cycle of paintings, commissioned by Marie de Médicis for the new Palais du Luxembourg, in Paris, dedicated to her life. This canvas depicts the ascension to the throne of Louis XIII, seven years after the death of his father.
More than a marine painting, this work represents a symbolic vision: the nave represents the kingdom, and the king, who is now of age, assumes control. Beside him, the queen shows him the way. The woman in front of the mast is an allegory of France; she holds the symbols of sovereignty and authority. The four rowing figures are also symbolic, as they represent the royal virtues (Strength, Religion, Justice, and Harmony). The two latter represent Temperance and Prudence.
Rubens highlights the queen throughout the cycle, omitting her expulsion from power in 1617, ordered by her son, and the armed conflicts which resulted.