OSHER 100 - Queens, Art and Power in Early Modern Europe

Royal patronage has often been important to the production of great art. This course will examine the art patronage of famous European queens including Catherine the Great of Russia, Elizabeth I of England, Catherine and Marie de'Medici of France, and Christine of Sweden. Art was an avenue these queens chose to boost their power and influence. Fascinating dilemmas faced each ruler. We will see how art enabled them to negotiate both court intrigue and the political situations they found themselves in.