Artwork
Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France
Portrait of Louis XVI, King of France is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joseph Siffred Duplessis. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Joseph‑Siffred Duplessis created an oil portrait of Louis XVI in 1792.
About this work
Overview
Joseph‑Siffred Duplessis created an oil portrait of Louis XVI in 1792. The work presents the French monarch in formal attire, rendered with a clear, direct approach characteristic of the artist. It is presently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is the king of France, depicted with a white wig, a light‑blue vest trimmed with gold buttons, and a prominent star‑shaped medal suspended from a red ribbon. A gold‑embellished coat and a held sheet of paper suggest both regal authority and a moment of contemplation.
Technique & Style
Duplessis employs subtle chiaroscuro to model the king’s face, giving it a three‑dimensional presence against an unadorned backdrop. The painting’s composition and decorative details align with late Rococo aesthetics, while the overall execution reflects the artist’s reputation for straightforward, transparent portraiture.
History & Provenance
Executed shortly before the fall of the monarchy, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings through acquisition in the 19th century. Its presence in a Dutch national collection underscores the broader European interest in French royal iconography during the post‑revolutionary period.
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.
