Artwork
Louis XVI giving his instructions to Lapérouse on 29 June 1785
Louis XVI giving his instructions to Lapérouse on 29 June 1785 is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Nicolas-André Monsiau. It dates from 1817 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
About this work
Overview
Completed in 1817 by French history painter Nicolas‑André Monsiau, this oil on canvas records a moment from 29 June 1785 when King Louis XVI is shown directing the explorer Jean‑François de Lapérouse. The composition was created for the Palace of Versailles and exemplifies the neoclassical taste for clear historical storytelling through measured draftsmanship.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, the king, hands navigational instruments to Lapérouse, who is seated and points to a large map spread on a table. A gilded globe and a rolled document complete the setting, underscoring the theme of royal patronage of scientific and geographic exploration during the late Ancien Régime.
Technique & Style
Monsiau employs a restrained, Poussin‑inspired drawing style characteristic of conservative neoclassicism. The palette is muted, while careful chiaroscuro models the figures and highlights the map and globe, creating a subtle sense of depth without dramatic excess.
History & Provenance
Commissioned for Versailles, the work was produced after the French Revolution, a time when traditional court commissions had dwindled. To sustain his career, Monsiau increasingly turned to book illustration, yet this painting reflects his continued engagement with official historical subjects.
Context
The scene reflects the broader Enlightenment interest in exploration and the king’s role in supporting scientific voyages. By 1785, Lapérouse was preparing a major Pacific expedition, and the painting records the official endorsement that linked royal authority with the era’s expanding geographic knowledge.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas-André Monsiau (1754 – 31 May 1837) was a French history painter and a refined draughtsman who turned to book illustration to supplement his income when the French Revolution disrupted patronage.
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