The Exchange of the Princesses (Marie de' Medici Cycle) - Rubens

The exchange of the two princesses took place on the river Andaye, on November 9, 1615, on a boat bridge. The marriage united Anne of Austria and Louis XIII on the one hand, and Isabelle of France and Philippe IV on the other.

The commission to Rubens stipulated:

"17. Table. The exchange of the two Queen's wives of France and Spain.
France is represented by a beautiful woman dressed in a blue habit covered with fleurs de lys, who pulls the Queen to herself and gives Madame to Spain, who will be represented by a More who will put Madame in Spain. En l'air il y aura un ballet et danse d'amours représenté conduit par la Félicité d'un siècle d'or épanchant d'un cornet d'abondance des fleurs et fruits, et au-dessous des amours une pluie d'or; en haut du tableau un arc-en- ciel." (Bnf Ms Baluze, 323, fol. 54, transcription Foucart et Thuillier, corr. Hénin et Cojannot)

In place of a Moor for Spain, Rubens has painted on the left a helmeted woman similar to the allegory of France, but dressed in a brilliant red and gold tunic, in the colors of Spain. Above the princesses, Félicité does not lead the ballet of the Amours: she is placed in the middle of their round.