Artwork
Saint Louis IX, King of France, the Crusader
Saint Louis IX, King of France, the Crusader is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Philip Fruytiers. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
About this work
Overview
This 1638 oil painting by Philip Fruytiers depicts Saint Louis IX, King of France. It is one of several large canvases attributed to the Flemish Baroque painter since the 1960s, showcasing his skill in portraiture beyond his known miniature watercolor and gouache works.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows Louis IX in ornate armor, holding a sword and cross, with a red cape and gold chain. A youthful figure beside him gazes upwards, while a robed figure in the background holds a crown, reinforcing the subject's royal identity and suggesting a narrative or symbolic context.
Technique & Style
Fruytiers' use of oil paint and chiaroscuro contributes to the Antwerp Baroque style, evident in the detailed rendering of textures and the interplay of light and shadow across the composition, highlighting the subject's armor and attire.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp's collection. It is signed with the monogram PHF, consistent with other works attributed to Fruytiers, and dates to 1638, a period when the artist was active in Antwerp.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip Fruytiers (1610–1666) was a Flemish Baroque painter and engraver. Until the 1960s, he was especially known for his miniature portraits in watercolor and gouache. Since then, several large canvases signed with the…
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