Portrait of Louis XIV

This magnificent state portrait of Louis XIV, the Sun King, was painted by Hyacinthe Rigaud in 1701 and has become the definitive image of absolute monarchy. The 63-year-old king is depicted in full coronation regalia: the ermine-lined royal mantle with gold fleur-de-lis, the crown and scepter, and the sword of Charlemagne (Joyeuse) at his side.

Rigaud masterfully depicted the luxurious textures of the king's garments—the shimmering silk, the dense ermine fur, and the heavy gold embroidery—while also revealing Louis's famous legs, which the king considered one of his finest attributes and insisted on displaying in the youthful pose of a dancer. The column, red drapery, and distant battle scene are standard devices of baroque portraiture that enhance the sense of royal authority.

Originally intended as a gift for King Philip V of Spain (Louis's grandson), Louis was so pleased with the painting that he kept the original for himself and had Rigaud produce a copy for Philip. The portrait established an enduring template for royal portraiture across Europe and remains the most iconic image of the French ancien régime.