Artwork

Portrait of Louis François Joseph de Bourbon, Prince of Conti in hunting costume

Portrait of Louis François Joseph de Bourbon, Prince of Conti in hunting costume is an oil painting by Auguste de Châtillon. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1836, this oil portrait by French artist Auguste de Châtillon depicts Louis François Joseph de Bourbon, Prince of Conti, dressed in a hunting ensemble. The work belongs to the collection of the Palace of Versailles and exemplifies the artist’s involvement with the mid‑nineteenth‑century bohemian circle known as the bohème du Doyenné.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, the Prince of Conti, is presented in full hunting attire, a costume that signals aristocratic leisure and the traditional role of the nobleman as a master of the hunt. His direct, solemn gaze engages the viewer, suggesting both personal dignity and the social stature associated with his rank.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting features a dark, muted background that isolates the figure. Châtillon renders the yellow coat with gold and white trim in meticulous detail, contrasting it with a crisp white shirt and a black collar. The brushwork balances fine rendering of fabric with broader tonal modeling of the face and hair.

History & Provenance

Since its completion, the portrait has remained in French state ownership, eventually entering the holdings of the Palace of Versailles. Its presence in the royal museum underscores the continued interest in documenting members of the Bourbon family during the post‑Revolutionary period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Auguste de Châtillon

Auguste de Châtillon (29 January 1808 – 26 March 1881) was a French painter, sculptor and poet. He was born and died in Paris. He, Théophile Gautier, Gérard de Nerval and Arsène Houssaye formed the "bohème du Doyenné".

Museum

Palace of Versailles

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