Artwork
Louis Quinze, Roy de France (Louis XV)
Louis Quinze, Roy de France (Louis XV) is a chalk print by the Baroque artist Jean-Charles François. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Jean‑Charles François produced a portrait print of Louis XVII, titled Louis Quinze, Roy de France, in 1767.
About this work
Overview
Jean‑Charles François produced a portrait print of Louis XVII, titled Louis Quinze, Roy de France, in 1767. Executed as a chalk‑manner, stipple and soft‑ground etching, the image is printed in a uniform red ink. The composition presents the monarch in a frontal pose, his gaze meeting the viewer, set against a plain background that isolates the figure.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts the French king with a solemn expression, his curly hair framed by a ruffled collar and a high‑collared jacket. The direct eye contact and restrained demeanor convey regal authority and composure, typical of royal portraiture intended to affirm the sovereign’s presence and dignity.
Technique & Style
François combined chalk‑manner drawing with stipple and soft‑ground etching, allowing delicate gradations of tone through fine lines and dots. The red ink, unusual for portrait prints, adds a warm tonal quality while the stippling creates a textured surface that suggests the softness of fabric and flesh without relying on heavy shading.
History & Provenance
Created in the late reign of Louis XV, the print reflects the court’s interest in disseminating the monarch’s likeness. While specific ownership records are sparse, the piece belongs to a series of royal portraits circulated among aristocratic patrons and later entered museum collections as an example of mid‑eighteenth‑century French printmaking.
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Artist & collection
