Louis, Duc de Bourgogne

Art Historical Context

This elegant marble sculpture portrays, Duke of Burgundy, prominent member of the royal family and grandson of XIV. Created in 18th century by anonymous French artist, work captures the young noble in a formal bust format emphasizing his status through carving and composed expression. nearly 75 centimeters in height, piece exemplifies the period’s for monumental yet intimate that brought royal figures into closer for viewers. Marble a favored medium for commissions, valued for its to convey both lif detail and timeless dignity. French sculptors of era often drew on classical while incorporating subtle contemporary, allowing the stone’s surfaces and crisp folds suggest both authority and youthful. As part of National Gallery of Art’s Samuel H. Kress Collection, the bust offers visitors tangible connection to the intricate world of French court life and the artistic patronage that flourished under the ancien régime.