Free Standing Statue-Catharina de Medici

Background information free standing statue

Catherine de' Medici (Florence, April 13, 1519 - Blois, January 5, 1589) was Queen of France from 1547 to 1559.
In October 1533, at the age of 14, she married the equally old Henry II of France, second son of Francis I, who succeeded his father in 1547.
Catharina was exceptionally active as patroness and commissioner of artists and architects.
However, her reputation as an evil poisoner seems grossly exaggerated. (Wikipedia)

Because of this, perhaps unjustified reputation, she is for me a well-known name in history.
Just like the name Cleopatra comes up.

Structure of statue

For this free standing statue, part of a series of 4, I had in mind a very simple shape.
Two upright, nested shelves on a pedestal and with a headboard.
With horizontal spacers for surface division and stability.

This gives a playful 4-sided image and provides beautiful surfaces to paint.

Painted sculpture

The differently shaped coloured areas at the top of the image represent the vials with poisonous contents.
The content bubbles and squirms and doesn't bode well.

Her reputation is expressed in the cool aluminum foil.
But the warm golden flecks also indicate another side of her character.

Her status as queen is displayed in the form of a crown at the top of the free standing statue.

Size freestanding statue Catharina de M.

Height: 115 cm
Width: 33 cm
Depth: 25 cm

Materials free standing statue Catharine de Medici

pine wood
beech wooden balls
acrylic paint
aluminium foil
gold leaf