Artwork
Portrait of Louis XVI de Bourbon (1754-1793)
Portrait of Louis XVI de Bourbon (1754-1793) is an ivory painting. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is a portrait executed on a circular slab of ivory, framed by a thin gold rim.
About this work
Overview
The work is a portrait executed on a circular slab of ivory, framed by a thin gold rim. Set against a dark backdrop, the sitter is presented in a formal pose, his gaze turned slightly left. The composition balances a restrained facial expression with a dignified bearing, typical of eighteenth‑century aristocratic portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The figure depicted is Louis XVI de Bourbon (1754‑1793), a member of the French noble house of Bourbon. His attire—a blue jacket marked by a silver star on the left, complemented by a red‑and‑white cravat—signals his rank and family affiliations. The neutral expression and direct yet modest gaze convey a sense of measured authority appropriate for official representation.
Technique & Style
Rendered in ivory, the artist employs chiaroscuro to model the sitter’s features, using light and shadow to suggest volume against the deep background. The smooth, luminous surface of the ivory allows delicate gradations of tone, while the gold border delineates the circular format, reinforcing the work’s ceremonial character.
History & Provenance
Created in the late eighteenth century, the portrait likely served a courtly or familial purpose, given its formal style and the prominence of the subject. The use of ivory as a support was a luxury choice, indicating the commission’s high status. Details of the artist and subsequent ownership remain undocumented in the available records.
Artist & collection
