The life of Henry the Fourth of France, translated from the French of Perefix, by M. Le Moine ..

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Libraries collection, *The Life of Henry the Fourth of France* is a compelling 456-page octavo volume (21 cm), generously gifted by Jayne Wrightsman in 2008. Translated into English by L. H. Le Moine from the original French biography by Hardouin de Pèrefixe—a 17th-century French historian and tutor to Louis XIV—this work captures the dramatic life of Henry IV (1553–1610), the resilient king who navigated France's religious wars to usher in an era of stability and prosperity. Pèrefixe's account, written with intimate historical insight, portrays Henry as a pragmatic leader famed for his Edict of Nantes (1598), which granted religious tolerance to Protestants, and his famous quip that "Paris is worth a Mass." Le Moine's translation made this influential narrative accessible to English readers, preserving its vivid storytelling and political wisdom in a handsomely formatted 18th- or 19th-century edition—though the exact date remains unknown. For visitors, this book exemplifies the Met's treasure trove of rare printed works, bridging art, history, and literature. It invites reflection on how biographies shaped royal legacies, offering a tangible link to the turbulent world of Renaissance France.

About the Artist

L. H. Le Moine|Hardouin de Perefixe ( |French) · | – |

|French