Portrait of Louis XV as a Child (Portrait de Louis XV enfant)
Painting on canvas • Hyacinthe Rigaud (and workshop)
Style & Movement
French Baroque / Rococo transition; also known as the Style Régence
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing courtly portraiture techniques such as glazing for silk textures and impasto for the golden embroidery and fleurs-de-lis
Creation Period
Circa 1716-1724
Dimensions & Format
Large scale (approximately 190 x 135 cm); Vertical rectangle (Portrait format)
Subject Description
A full-length state portrait of the young King Louis XV sitting on his throne. He wears the royal coronation robes of blue velvet lined with ermine and decorated with the fleur-de-lis. He holds the scepter and is surrounded by the regalia of the French monarchy, positioned within an architectural and draped interior setting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the painting appears well-maintained within a museum-quality environment with healthy lacquer and vibrant color retention.
Estimated Market Value
$2,000,000 - $4,500,000 (estimation for a primary workshop version with Rigaud's hand; original versions are of national importance and effectively priceless)
Auction Estimate
$1,500,000 - $3,000,000
Provenance History
Commissioned for the French Royal collection; subsequent history involves state ownership and eventually exhibition within the Palace of Versailles or associated national collections.
Art Historical Significance
This portrait is an iconic image of the early reign of Louis XV. It serves as both a political statement of continuity following Louis XIV and a masterpiece of Hyacinthe Rigaud, the preeminent portraitist of the French monarchy.
Notable Features
Features an exceptionally ornate Rococo 'boiserie' frame that matches the interior paneling; notable for the contrast between the king's youthful, soft features and the heavy, masculine symbols of absolute power.
Condition Issues
Possible minor craquelure consistent with age; light surface dust; minor historical varnish yellowing typical for 18th-century oils.
Conservation Recommendations
Periodic cleaning of the ornate gilt frame; stable climate control (50% RH, 20°C); UV-filtered lighting to prevent pigment degradation.