Artwork
Portrait of Louis XV of France
Portrait of Louis XV of France is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Alexis Simon Belle. It dates from 1723 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows Louis XV of France seated on a throne, wearing a lace-trimmed coat, a crown, and regalia that emphasize his royal authority and lineage.
The portrait shows Louis XV of France seated on a throne, wearing a lace-trimmed coat, a crown, and regalia that emphasize his royal authority and lineage. The child holding a sword and the decorative passementerie symbolize both the future succession and the ceremonial splendor of the French monarchy. Commissioned during his reign, the work functions as a statement of power and continuity within the Bourbon dynasty, linking personal portraiture to broader notions of statehood and divine right.
Technique & Style
The work was executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for formal portraiture in early 18th‑century France. Belle’s handling yields a polished surface with fine brushwork that models the sitter’s features and the elaborate lace and passementerie, while the composition places the monarch on a throne, emphasizing regal authority. The painting measures 226 cm in height and 180 cm in width, reflecting its grand scale.
History & Provenance
Alexis Simon Belle painted the Portrait of Louis XV of France in 1723, commissioned by the French court for display at the Palace of Versailles. The work entered the royal collection and has remained in the custody of the Museum of the History of France at Versailles since its creation. It was executed in oil on canvas, measuring 226 cm in height by 180 cm in width.
The painting was first recorded in the inventory of the Palace of Versailles shortly after its completion and has been part of the national collection ever since.
The painting is held in the collections of the Palace of Versailles, where it is catalogued as part of the Museum of the History of France. Its dimensions are recorded as 226 cm in height and 180 cm in width.
The work has been exhibited at the Palace of Versailles, as documented in the museum’s holdings.
Overview
Alexis Simon Belle painted a portrait of the future king Louis XV in 1723. Executed in oil on canvas, the work shows the young prince seated on an elaborate high‑back chair, surrounded by rich fabrics and a deep red backdrop. The composition emphasizes the sitter’s status through sumptuous clothing and decorative details.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alexis Simon Belle (12 January 1674 – 21 November 1734) was a French painter who specialised in portrait painting who is best known for his portraits of the French and Jacobite nobility.
