Artwork

Modello for the Portrait of Louis XIV in Royal Ceremonial Robes

Modello for the Portrait of Louis XIV in Royal Ceremonial Robes, by Rigaud Hyacinthe, oil, 1701
Modello for the Portrait of Louis XIV in Royal Ceremonial Robes, by Rigaud Hyacinthe, oil, 1701

Modello for the Portrait of Louis XIV in Royal Ceremonial Robes is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Rigaud Hyacinthe. It dates from 1701 and is held in the collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

About this work

Overview

Modello for the Portrait of Louis XIV in Royal Ceremonial Robes is an oil painting created by Hyacinthe Rigaud in 1701, portraying Louis XIV in ceremonial attire, now part of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Louis XIV standing confidently in lavish royal regalia, including a white cape, blue vest with gold patterns, a scepter, and a sword, symbolizing his authority and grandeur.

Technique & Style

Rigaud employed chiaroscuro to create depth, and meticulous attention to detail in rendering the subject's attire, characteristic of the transition towards Rococo within a Baroque framework.

History & Provenance

Created in 1701 for the French monarchy, the painting's history prior to its acquisition by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is not detailed here, reflecting its current known ownership.

Context

Commissioned during Louis XIV's reign, the work reflects the artistic demands of the French nobility and monarchy during the late Baroque period, with Rigaud catering to these elites with his portraits.

Legacy

While specific influence or notable exhibitions are not highlighted, the painting remains a testament to Rigaud's skill and the enduring interest in 18th-century French royal portraiture, preserved in a major North American museum.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Rigaud Hyacinthe

Artist

Rigaud Hyacinthe

Jacint Rigau-Ros i Serra (Catalan pronunciation: ; 18 July 1659 – 29 December 1743), known in French as Hyacinthe Rigaud (pronounced ), was a Catalan-French baroque painter most famous for his portraits of Louis XIV and other members of…