Artwork

Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette Crowned by Love

Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette Crowned by Love, by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, chalk, 1775
Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette Crowned by Love, by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, chalk, 1775

Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette Crowned by Love is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Gabriel de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin's drawing, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette Crowned by Love, dates to 1775 and is executed in a mixed media technique combining red and black chalk, pen and ink, watercolor, gouache, and heightened white gouache on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette in intimate proximity, both crowned. The queen, distinguished by a elaborate hat and fan, is the focal point, with the king displaying a gentle, admiring gaze towards her. The emphasis on their regal attire and jewelry contrasts with the relatively sketchy treatment of their faces.

Technique & Style

Saint-Aubin's expressive drawing style is evident in the loose, smudged background and the varied line work. The use of chalk and ink for detailing is overlaid with watercolor washes for coloring, while white gouache accents the royal crowns and ornaments, highlighting them against the softer, more hastily rendered facial features.

History & Provenance

Created in 1775, specific details regarding the drawing's commission, exhibition history, or ownership prior to its current location are not provided in the available information.

Context

This work reflects the artistic trends of 18th-century France, where courtly life and royal figures were common subjects. Saint-Aubin's fast and expressive technique aligns with the period's emphasis on quick, intimate drawings that often captured everyday or private moments of the elite.

Legacy

As part of Gabriel de Saint-Aubin's oeuvre, this drawing contributes to the artist's reputation for producing numerous, swiftly executed drawings that offer insights into the lives of the French monarchy and nobility during the late 18th century.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

Artist

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin was a French draftsman, printmaker, etcher and painter.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.