The education of Marie de' Medicis: Minerva, Mercury and the Graces teach her the fine and liberal arts. Engraving by A. Loir, ca. 1708, after J.M. Nattier after P.P. Rubens.

The setting is a subterranean grotto into which water flows down from the Castalian spring (representing flowing lines of poetry). Marie de Médicis is shown as a girl at the feet of Minerva who teaches her the basic elements of knowledge. Hermes teaches her eloquence, while Harmony and the Graces teach her the polite arts. In the foreground are paint-brushes representing painting; sculptor's instruments and sculptures representing sculpture in stone and in metal; and a string instrument representing music

In reverse to the painting by Rubens in the Louvre: in this print, therefore, Marie de' Medicis writes with her left hand, Mercury applies his caduceus to her in his left hand, the musician representing Harmony plays the viola with the bow in his left hand, and one of the Graces offers Marie a wreath in her left hand

A Paris (rue Frementeau) : chez le S.r Nattier peintre de l'Academie Royale, [1708?]

1 print : line engraving, with etching ; platemark 50.7 x 35.6 cm

L'éducation de la Reine. Minerve enseigne à la Reine les premiers élémens des sciences. Les Graces et l'harmonie accompagnent cette déesse pour assaisonner tout se qui entre dans l'esprit de la jeune princesse. Mercure descent du ciel pour lui faire part de son eloquence, et la fontaine Castalide est icy le simbole de la poësie. Sur le devant du tableau sont quelques instrumens des arts liberaux que la reine a toujours aimez, & protegez, et entr'autres la peinture, la sculpture et la musique. Rubens pinxit ; I.M. Nattier delin. ; Loir sculpsit

Catalogue sommaire illustré des peintures du Musée du Louvre; 1. Ecoles flamande et hollandaise' (Paris 1979), p. 118

Wellcome Collection 2863604i