Louis XIV

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228a

Art Historical Context

This lithograph, titled *Louis XIV*, captures the iconic Sun King of France (r. 1643–1715) in a portrait produced anonymously by the Parisian printer veuve Delpech (likely Françoise Delpech, widow of lithographer Jean-François Delpe) and associated with Naudet. Dated sometime between 1818 and 1842, it measures 271 mm high by 180 mm wide, making it a compact yet striking piece suited for collectors' albums or scholarly displays. Lithography, the medium here, revolutionized 19th-century printmaking with its greasy crayon technique on limestone, enabling precise tonal gradations and affordable reproductions of historical portraits. Created during France's Bourbon Restoration and early July Monarchy—a period of revived royal nostalgia—this print reflects ongoing fascination with Louis XIV's absolutist legacy and Versailles grandeur. It likely served as an educational or decorative homage, disseminating the monarch's image to a broader audience beyond original paintings. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 2228a, the work boasts provenance from a distinguished European collection, underscoring its enduring appeal among connoisseurs. Visitors will appreciate how this unassuming sheet bridges centuries, preserving the aura of France's most lavish ruler through innovative 19th-century artistry.