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Artwork

Portrait of King Louis XIII of France

Frans Pourbus, the Younger , 1611

Portrait of King Louis XIII of France, by Frans Pourbus, the Younger, unspecified, 1611
Portrait of King Louis XIII of France, by Frans Pourbus, the Younger, unspecified, 1611

Portrait of King Louis XIII of France is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Frans Pourbus, the Younger. It dates from 1611 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This 1611 painting depicts Louis XIII, then ten years old, as King of France.

About this work

A young boy in a stiff black suit and white lace collar sits on a throne, holding a scepter and crown.

A young boy in a stiff black suit and white lace collar sits on a throne, holding a scepter and crown. His face is pale, his expression serious—too serious for a ten-year-old.

This isn’t just a portrait. It’s a political tool. Painted in 1611, it shows Louis XIII as king, even though his mother still ruled France. The artist even wrote the boy’s age on the painting, like a birth certificate. It was meant to remind Europe that Louis was in charge, even if he wasn’t yet.

If you like this, look up *chiaroscuro*—how artists use light and shadow to make faces stand out.

Overview

This 1611 painting depicts Louis XIII, then ten years old, as King of France. The work was created during a period of significant diplomatic maneuvering by his mother, Marie de' Medici.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows the young king seated on a throne, holding symbols of his office. The inclusion of his age and the date serves to authenticate the image and emphasize his status as ruler, despite his minority.

Technique & Style

The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits contrasts of light and dark, lends the subject a sense of gravitas. The stark black and white of the boy's attire further accentuates his pale face.

History & Provenance

The painting was commissioned by Marie de' Medici as she negotiated strategic marriages for her children, forging alliances that would shape European politics for centuries to come.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Frans Pourbus, the Younger

Artist

Frans Pourbus, the Younger

Frans Pourbus the Younger or Frans Pourbus (II) (Antwerp, 1569 – Paris, 1622) was a Flemish painter, specialised in portrait painting.

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.