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Artwork

Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775

Gabriel François Doyen , 1775

Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775, by Gabriel François Doyen, oil, 1775
Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775, by Gabriel François Doyen, oil, 1775

Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775 is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Gabriel François Doyen. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

As a history painting, it captures a ceremony of chivalric and royal significance, with the king positioned on a throne as knights swear their oath of loyalty.

The painting depicts the coronation of Louis XVI, specifically the moment on June 13, 1775, when the king received homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims. As a history painting, it captures a ceremony of chivalric and royal significance, with the king positioned on a throne as knights swear their oath of loyalty. The scene incorporates symbolic elements of respect, sacred authority, and monarchical power: an archbishop appears, indicating the Church's role in legitimizing the crown, while columns and ceremonial decorations frame the architectural setting of Reims Cathedral.

The inclusion of a dog may serve as an emblem of fidelity. The work thus represents the fusion of religious rite, feudal obligation, and absolutist spectacle that defined Bourbon coronation rituals.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 345 cm in height and 485 cm in width. Doyen’s handling emphasizes grand, controlled gestures and luminous color harmonies to convey the ceremonial gravity of the scene. Architectural elements such as columns and draped drapery frame the composition, while the king’s throne and the knights’ overcoats anchor the hierarchical order. The lighting is evenly diffused, reinforcing the stately atmosphere without dramatic chiaroscuro.

The canvas shows stable craquelure consistent with aged oil paint, with no record of structural damage or major restorations in institutional files.

History & Provenance

Created in 1775 by Gabriel François Doyen, this oil painting on canvas depicts the homage paid to Louis XVI by the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims on June 13 of that year. The work measures 345 cm in height and 485 cm in width. It was commissioned to commemorate the specific historical event of the king's reception of the knights following his coronation.

The painting is currently held in the collection of the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles, where it bears the inventory number MV 5741. As a large-scale history painting, it serves as a visual record of the ceremony and the chivalric order's loyalty to the monarch.

The painting is held at the Museum of the History of France, Palace of Versailles, under inventory number MV 5741. Its location is recorded in the national collections database Joconde, which lists it as part of the holdings of the musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon.

No specific exhibition history is documented in the provided sources.

Overview

Gabriel François Doyen painted this large oil work in 1775 to record a ceremonial event in which King Louis XVI received homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims. The composition places the monarch on a throne, surrounded by architectural elements and a formal procession, illustrating the ritual’s solemnity.

Context

Created during the later phase of the Rococo period, the work reflects the era’s taste for elaborate, courtly scenes. It also aligns with the broader tradition of history painting that sought to commemorate significant state events through grand, narrative compositions.

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Artist & collection

Portrait of Gabriel François Doyen

Artist

Gabriel François Doyen

Gabriel François Doyen (French:; 20 May 1726 – 13 March 1806) was a French painter of historical and mythological scenes.

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Palace of Versailles open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Palace of Versailles. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775?

Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775 was painted by Gabriel François Doyen in 1775-01-01.

Where can I see Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775?

Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775 is held by Palace of Versailles.

What movement is Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775?

Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775 is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775?

Museum-quality prints of Louis XVI receives homage from the Knights of the Holy Spirit in Reims, June 13, 1775 are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.