Artwork
Louis XV (1710–1774), King of France
Louis XV (1710–1774), King of France is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This small painting on vellum depicts Louis XV, who reigned as King of France from 1710 to 1774.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1750, the piece depicts the monarch as a sovereign ruler, utilizing the intimate scale of a miniature to focus attention on his royal identity.
The work presents a formal portrait of Louis XV, King of France, rendered in the genre of a miniature painting. Created in 1750, the piece depicts the monarch as a sovereign ruler, utilizing the intimate scale of a miniature to focus attention on his royal identity. Executed on vellum, the artwork functions as a direct representation of the king's person and status.
While the specific symbolic attributes are not detailed in the available records, the depiction itself serves to assert the subject's authority as the French monarch during the mid-eighteenth century. The work remains part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1750, this portrait of Louis XV is a miniature painting created on a vellum support. The work measures 5.5 by 7.2 cm, indicating a small-scale format typical of the genre. As a painted miniature, the piece relies on fine brushwork suitable for the smooth surface of the prepared animal skin.
The composition focuses strictly on the likeness of the French monarch, adhering to the conventions of royal portraiture within a compact physical presence. The use of vellum rather than ivory or copper suggests the material preferences of the unidentified French artist during the mid-eighteenth century.
History & Provenance
The portrait miniature of Louis XV on vellum is dated to 1750 and attributed to an unidentified French painter. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and measures 5.5 by 7.2 centimeters. No earlier owners, commissioning patrons, or specific creation circumstances are documented in the available sources, which likewise provide no accession number or exhibition history for the object.
Overview
This small painting on vellum depicts Louis XV, who reigned as King of France from 1710 to 1774. Rendered in an oval format, the portrait presents the monarch in formal attire, emphasizing his royal status. The artwork is encased within an ornate, jewel-like frame, suggesting its preciousness and the high regard in which the sitter was held.
Context
This portrait likely served as a personal or diplomatic gift, or a cherished memento, given its intimate scale and elaborate, jewel-box-like framing. Such miniature portraits of monarchs were common during the period, allowing for the dissemination of the royal image in a portable and valuable format. The opulent presentation aligns with the grandeur associated with the French monarchy of the 18th century.
Artist & collection
