Artwork
Portrait of Louis XVIII
Portrait of Louis XVIII is an unspecified portrait miniature by the Biedermeier artist Jean-Baptiste Jacques Augustin. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
You see a small, finely painted portrait of a man in a military uniform, his face lined with age and his expression stern.
You see a small, finely painted portrait of a man in a military uniform, his face lined with age and his expression stern.
This is King Louis XVIII of France, painted around 1822. Miniatures like this were often given as gifts to diplomats or allies. The detail is so sharp you can count the gold buttons on his jacket. Augustin was the court’s official miniaturist, meaning he painted many powerful people in this exact style.
If you like this, look up more works in the subject *france, 19th century, mod euro*.
Overview
This portrait miniature depicts King Louis XVIII of France in military attire, created by Jean-Baptiste Jacques Augustin, the official miniaturist to the French court. Executed around 1822, the work showcases the king's regalia and honors.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait conveys Louis XVIII's royal lineage and monarchic authority through the meticulous depiction of reinstated orders and medals, symbolizing the restoration of monarchical power after the French Revolution and Napoleon's rule.
Technique & Style
Painted in watercolor on ivory, the miniature demonstrates Augustin's precise technique, characteristic of official court portraiture. The level of detail, such as discernible gold buttons, highlights the artist's skill.
History & Provenance
Commissioned likely in multiple copies for diplomatic gifts, this miniature is one of two versions in the collection, the other being in enamel. It reflects the practice of producing such portraits for distribution among allies and dignitaries.
Context
Created during Louis XVIII's reign (1814-1824, with a brief interruption in 1815), the work contextualizes the monarch's efforts to reestablish pre-Revolutionary honors and alliances through visual symbolism.
Legacy
As part of Augustin's oeuvre as a court miniaturist, the portrait contributes to the historical record of French monarchical restoration and the artistic traditions of 19th-century European portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Baptiste Jacques Augustin
Jean-Baptiste Jacques Augustin (1759–1832) was a French artist, born in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges.
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