Louis XIII, King of France
1601
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1601
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Louis XIII, King of France is a 1601 ink by Léonard Gaultier, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a young man in fancy clothes, standing beside a throne. He’s holding a crown and a scepter, with a small dog at his feet. Behind him, a curtain frames a patterned wall, and a coat of arms sits on a chest. The text at the top reads *"Lovys XIII. Roy de France et de Navarre."* The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, focusing on details like the fabric folds and the dog’s fur. This kind of careful linework is key in engraving. The throne and crowns hint at power, but the relaxed pose keeps it from feeling too stiff. If you like this style, check out more about engraving to see how artists use tools to make intricate prints.
Léonard Gaultier, or, as he sometimes signed himself, Galter, a French engraver, was born at Mainz about 1561, and died in Paris in 1641.
See the richer artist page
