Artwork
Louis IV, King of France
Louis IV, King of France is an oil painting by Charles de Steuben. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
About this work
Overview
Louis IV, King of France is a history painting executed in oil by Charles de Steuben in 1838. The work is now part of the Palace of Versailles collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Louis IV of France, emphasizing his regal status through symbols of power: a gold crown, scepter, and ornate attire. The composition conveys grandeur and importance.
Technique & Style
De Steuben employed a color palette featuring contrasting blues, reds, and gold against a dark brown background to create depth and highlight the subject's nobility. For detailed analysis of the artist's style and technique, see separate resources on Charles de Steuben.
History & Provenance
Created in 1838 by German-born French Romantic artist Charles de Steuben, the painting is currently housed at the Palace of Versailles as part of its historical collection.
Context
Painted during the Second Empire era, Louis IV, King of France reflects the Romantic period's interest in historical themes and figures, often depicted with dramatic flair.
Legacy
As part of the Versailles collection, the painting contributes to the historical and artistic heritage of the site, offering insight into 19th-century Romantic interpretations of French monarchy figures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Auguste Guillaume Steuben (German: Carl August Wilhelm von Steuben; April 18, 1788 – November 21, 1856), also Charles de Steuben, was a German-born French Romantic painter and lithographer active from the Napoleonic to Second…
Battle of Poitiers, 25 October 732
Anne d'Autriche, reine de France
Portrait of D.E. Benardaki
Portrait of a Young Woman
Portrait of Countess d'Ash
Portrait of Baron Alexander Stieglitz
Louis-Charles-Antoine Des Aix de Veygoux, dit Desaix, capitaine au 46e régiment d'infanterie de ligne en 1792
Portrait of Countess Yulia Stroganova
