Artemisia was the widow of King Mausollos (d. 352 BCE) and succeeded him as ruler in Caria, in today’s southwestern Turkey. The huge tomb which she built for her husband and herself became known as one of the seven wonders of the world: the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Vouet depicts Artemisia together with the two Greek architects who made the plans for the mausoleum. The Queen is pointing at the part of the plan that is currently being built.