Artwork
Louis XIII, King of France
Louis XIII, King of France is an ink print by the Baroque artist Balthasar Moncornet. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Balthasar Moncornet, a 17th‑century French painter and engraver, produced an engraved portrait of Louis XIII in 1634. Executed on laid paper, the print presents the monarch in formal attire, emphasizing his regal status through detailed armor and insignia.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays the king with curled hair, a moustache, and a solemn expression, wearing a chain of office and a star‑shaped badge that signal his authority. In his right hand he holds a rolled document, suggesting the exercise of sovereign power, while the miniature background scenes of soldiers and architecture hint at military and civic responsibilities.
Technique & Style
Moncornet employed fine, closely spaced lines and cross‑hatching to render the textures of metal armor and fabric, creating a sense of depth through tonal shading. The engraving’s linear precision reflects the period’s emphasis on clear, authoritative portraiture for official figures.
History & Provenance
Created during the early reign of Louis XIII, the print is one of roughly forty‑five portrait engravings Moncornet produced, documenting prominent contemporaries. The inscription at the bottom identifies the sitter and his titles, confirming its function as a contemporary visual record of the French monarch.
Context
In the 1630s, royal portraiture served both propaganda and documentation, reinforcing the king’s presence across the kingdom. Engravings like Moncornet’s could be reproduced and distributed more widely than painted portraits, extending the visual representation of royal authority.
Artist & collection
Artist
Balthasar Moncornet (1600, Rouen – 1668, Paris) was a French painter, engraver, and tapissier revered for his depictions of around 45 different prominent figures of the 17th century.
