Artwork
Louis XVI in Coronation Robes
Louis XVI in Coronation Robes is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joseph Siffred Duplessis. It dates from 1789 and is held in the collection of the Musée Ingres Bourdelle. Joseph Duplessis painted a portrait of Louis XVI in 1776, showing the king in the ermine‑lined robes he wore at his coronation in Reims.
About this work
Overview
Joseph Duplessis painted a portrait of Louis XVI in 1776, showing the king in the ermine‑lined robes he wore at his coronation in Reims. The work was displayed at the Paris Salon of 1777 and quickly became a widely reproduced image of the monarch.
Subject & Meaning
The king is presented standing in an interior space, his regal attire highlighted by white ermine fur edged with gold embroidery and a blue skirt patterned with fleur‑de‑lis. A small white dog rests on a decorative chair, and a cane leans against the armrest, underscoring the sovereign’s authority and domestic presence.
Technique & Style
Duplessis employed oil on canvas to render the luxurious textures of the fur and fabric, contrasting the bright white of the ermine with the dark, patterned walls and rug. The meticulous brushwork captures the sheen of the gold threads and the softness of the animal fur, typical of late‑Rococo portraiture.
History & Provenance
The original canvas has not survived; however, several copies made by Duplessis and other artists remain. The most significant replica is housed in the Musée Ingres‑Bourdelle in Montauban, with additional versions at the Musée Carnavalet and the Museum of French History at the Palace of Versailles.
Context
Created two years after Louis XVI’s accession in 1774, the portrait reflects the early years of his reign before the upheavals of the French Revolution, which ultimately led to his execution in 1793. The coronation robes symbolize the traditional legitimacy of the Bourbon monarchy.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph-Siffred Duplessis (22 September 1725 – 1 April 1802) was a French painter known for the clarity and immediacy of his portraits.
