Artwork
Portrait of Louis XV of France
Portrait of Louis XV of France is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Alexis Simon Belle. It dates from 1723 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
About this work
Overview
Alexis Simon Belle painted a portrait of the future king Louis XV in 1723. Executed in oil on canvas, the work shows the young prince seated on an elaborate high‑back chair, surrounded by rich fabrics and a deep red backdrop. The composition emphasizes the sitter’s status through sumptuous clothing and decorative details.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents Louis XV as a child, dressed in a white shirt trimmed with lace, a blue robe embroidered with gold floral motifs, and a white cloak over his shoulders. He holds a staff topped with a gold finial, a symbol of authority, while his posture conveys both innocence and regal bearing.
Technique & Style
Belle employs a Rococo palette and a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated fabrics with shadowed interiors to model form and convey volume. The careful rendering of lace, gold embroidery, and the plush upholstery demonstrates the artist’s skill in depicting texture and light.
History & Provenance
Created shortly after Louis XV’s accession, the portrait entered the royal collection and remains housed at the Palace of Versailles. Belle, a pupil of François de Troy, Hyacinthe Rigaud and Nicolas de Largillière, was known for portraits of French and Jacobite aristocracy and later taught Jacques Aved.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alexis Simon Belle (12 January 1674 – 21 November 1734) was a French painter who specialised in portrait painting who is best known for his portraits of the French and Jacobite nobility.
