Portrait Medallion of King Louis XV set in a Decorative Frame with a Relief

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 1772 drawing by Fontaine presents a portrait medallion of King Louis XV elegantly framed within an ornate architectural relief. Created late in the monarch’s long reign, the work captures the refined taste of the French court through its careful balance of regal likeness and decorative flourish. As a design on vellum, it likely served as a preparatory study for a larger decorative object—perhaps a medal, plaque, or furniture ornament—intended to honor the king. Executed in pen and black ink over subtle black-chalk underdrawing, the piece demonstrates the precision required for ornamental and architectural projects. The medium’s smooth surface allows Fontaine to render delicate details in the frame’s relief while maintaining the crisp profile of the royal portrait. Such drawings were essential tools for craftsmen translating ideas into three-dimensional luxury goods during the late eighteenth century. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this small yet refined sheet (just under eight inches tall) offers modern viewers a glimpse into the collaborative world of royal patronage, where artists like Fontaine bridged fine draftsmanship and the applied arts.