Louis XV (1710-1774) (work of art)
Artwork Info
Key Ideas
- This painted portrait of Louis XV (Louis the 15th) makes him look much older than he actually was. He was only five years old at the time this portrait was painted. The young ruler was crowned king just after the death of his great-grandfather Louis XIV (Louis the 14th).
- Louis XV is depicted as a powerful leader in this painting. Luxurious fabrics, a throne, and a royal scepter represent his majesty and French nobility.
- Hyacinthe Rigaud was first hired to paint Louis XIV when he was the king of France. Rigaud painted both Louis XIV and Louis XV in the baroque art style. Baroque paintings often look very formal.
Learn More
When Louis XIV died after being the king of France for 72 years, his great-grandson Louis XV was the only male heir left to take his place. The Palace of Versailles wanted to honor him as king even though he was only five years old at the time. This painting was intended to make the young king look powerful and much older than he actually was. His robe features a pattern of gold lily-shaped designs, or fleurs-de-lis. The fleur-de-lis is a symbol of France. The luxurious fabrics the artist portrayed in this painting highlight the king’s wealth. His physical pose (sitting on his throne, holding a royal scepter in one hand and pointing with the other) emphasizes his status as a royal leader. Hyacinthe Rigaud was famous for painting portraits of powerful people throughout Europe. He was the official artist of King Louis XIV, and he painted many royal portraits of him throughout his life. Rigaud painted Louis XV in the same baroque style that he painted the young king’s great-grandfather. The intense colors and shadows Rigaud used in this painting enhance the subject’s appearance and make the work look formal and timeless.
tags: power, identity, symbolism, communication, family, persuasion, children, textiles
Additional Resources
Resources for Teachers
- Read an article about Hyacinthe Rigaud’s portrait of Louis XIV.
- Watch a video to learn how to identify baroque art.
- Listen to a podcast about Louis XIV and his successors.
- Review a lesson plan on how to look closely at portraits.
Resources for Students
- Take a virtual gallery tour of Rigaud’s work.
- Read a blog post about royal portraits.
- Explore a lesson on how to paint in the baroque style.
Images
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Louis XV (1710-1774)
A painted portrait of King Louis XV sitting on his throne. He holds a royal wand in one hand and makes a pointing gesture with the other. He is surrounded by luxurious fabrics and is wearing a robe that is decorated with a fleur-de-lis pattern.