Louis XV (1710-1774)

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