Marie de Medici (1573-1642) was born in Florence, the daughter of Francis de Medici, grand duke of Tuscany, and Joanna, an Austrian Archduchess. In 1600 she married Henry IV, King of France, and became queen consort. Her children included: her eldest son, who became Louis XIII, King of France (married Anne of Austria); Elizabeth, Queen of Spain (married Philip IV, King of Spain); Nicholas Henri, Duke of Orléans (died young); Gaston, Duke of Orleans (married Marie de Bourbon and later Marguerite of Lorraine); Christine, Duchess of Savoy (married Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy); and Henrietta Maria, Queen of England (married Charles I, King of England). She became queen regent of France upon the murder of Henry IV in 1610. In 1616 Cardinal Richelieu entered her councils.

The inversion of the legend may have intended to suggest that her titles, legible only in a mirror, are merely a reflection of the glory of her son.