Artwork
King Louis XIV (1638-1715) of France
King Louis XIV (1638-1715) of France is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Justus van Egmont. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Justus van Egmont’s 1652 oil portrait presents the young Louis XIV in regal attire, seated before a dark red drapery and a faint landscape. The king’s white lace collar, gold‑embroidered robe and star‑shaped medal are illuminated against a subdued background, while his hand rests on a staff and a throne‑like chair. The composition balances formality with a subtle sense of presence.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Louis XIV as the embodiment of royal authority and emerging absolutism. By emphasizing luxurious fabrics, a meticulously styled wig, and the symbolic staff, van Egmont underscores the monarch’s sovereign power and his claim to divine right. The inclusion of the medal suggests official recognition, reinforcing the king’s political legitimacy during his early reign.
Technique & Style
The brushwork combines fine detail in the facial expression with broader strokes in the surrounding drapery, characteristic of his Antwerp training.
Executed in the Flemish Baroque tradition, the painting employs chiaroscuro to model the figure’s features, creating a three‑dimensional effect. Van Egmont manipulates light and shadow to highlight the texture of lace and gold embroidery, while the dark curtain recedes, enhancing depth. The brushwork combines fine detail in the facial expression with broader strokes in the surrounding drapery, characteristic of his Antwerp training.
History & Provenance
Created while van Egmont served as a court painter for the House of Orléans, the portrait entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection, where it remains on display. The artist, a contemporary of Van Dyck and Rubens, later helped establish France’s Académie de peinture et de sculpture, linking his career to the development of French academic art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Justus van Egmont or Joost van Egmont (1601 – 8 January 1674) was a painter and a tapestry designer during the 17th century.
