Who painted Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France?

Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France was painted by Joseph Siffred Duplessis in 1783-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France?

Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France?

Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France

Joseph Siffred Duplessis , 1792

Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joseph Siffred Duplessis. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Joseph‑Siffred Duplessis created an oil portrait of Louis XVI in 1792.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The portrait is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it continues to document the visage of the king prior to the French Revolution.

Executed in 1783 by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, this oil painting on canvas presents a formal likeness of Louis XVI, the King of France. The work functions as a royal portrait, explicitly identifying the monarch as its sole main subject. By depicting the ruler in a standalone composition, the image serves as a visual representation of the French crown during the late eighteenth century.

The portrait is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it continues to document the visage of the king prior to the French Revolution.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1783 by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, this portrait of Louis XVI is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 81 cm in height and 64.5 cm in width. Classified as a formal portrait, the piece utilizes traditional oil paints applied to a woven fabric support, a standard medium for royal portraiture of the late eighteenth century.

The composition focuses entirely on the French monarch, adhering to the genre conventions of the period through its direct depiction of the subject.

History & Provenance

The painting was created in 1783 as an oil on canvas portrait of Louis XVI, commissioned to capture the monarch’s contemporary appearance. Duplessis executed the work while the king sat for the artist, and it entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Its creation history is documented by the museum’s cataloguing, which records the date as 1783 and specifies the dimensions as 81 cm by 64.5 cm.

The Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France painted by Joseph Siffred Duplessis in 1783 is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, as recorded in its catalog with accession details reflecting its status as a museum-held work. The painting measures 81 cm in height and 64.5 cm in width, executed in oil on canvas. It has been included in exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum, such as displays of Dutch and French portraiture, highlighting its significance within the institution's historical and artistic programming.

Overview

Joseph‑Siffred Duplessis created an oil portrait of Louis XVI in 1792. The work presents the French monarch in formal attire, rendered with a clear, direct approach characteristic of the artist. It is presently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.