Louis XIV

Framed in an oval vignette, the imperious expression and extravagant wig all signify the identity of this sitter as Louis XIV (1638-1715), the king of France known as the ‘Sun’ king. This copy after the original painting by French portraitist, Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743), still retains all the hallmarks of Rigaud’s renowned ability to capture a likeness. As royal painter, Rigaud was instrumental in creating the iconic images of Louis that epitomised the power of the Bourbon dynasty. In this painting, the king is shown in a military outfit wearing the sash of the Order of the Holy Spirit, which cuts a bright blue swathe over a breastplate decorated with delicate fleur-de-lis details. Rigaud earned many commissions providing copies of his works for members of other European royal families, as well as French courtiers. This reduced image is derived from a portrait that Louis himself sent to the Château de Chenonceau, an important palace in the Loire Valley, France. 

In this half-turned pose, the king’s face is framed by a vertiginous wig with a defined centre parting, a signature style created by Louis XIV that was adopted not only in Versailles but also across other European courts. In his youth, Louis wore his hair long, his natural, dark curls falling to his waist. As he aged and his hair thinned, Louis’ personal barber, Benoit Binet, created a long wig of tight curls to emulate Louis’ natural hair, which became known as a ‘binette’ in French. Louis reigned for seventy-three years, the epitome of an absolute monarch who controlled his image and manipulated court and fashion.