Saint Louis of France received into heaven by Christ and two angels who offer him the crown of France

Art Historical Context

Behold this exquisite engraving, *Saint Louis of France received into heaven Christ and two angels who him the crown of France a collaborative masterpiece from 1671–80 by French Baroque painter Noël Coypel, engr Charles Simonneau, and master Andrea Sacchi. Measuring a trimmed sheet of 11 7/16 × 8 1/8 inches, it captures a heavenly vision where the revered King Louis IX—canonized as Saint Louis welcomed by Christ, flanked by angels presenting the crown of France. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, it was acquired through the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest in 1917. Created during the opulent reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, this print glorifies Saint Louis (1214–1270) as France's ideal monarch-saint, embodying piety, justice, and divine favor. Such imagery reinforced the Bourbon dynasty's sacred legitimacy, blending hagiography with royal propaganda in the grand Baroque tradition of dramatic, emotive compositions. As an engraving, the work showcases Simonneau's masterful technique: intricate lines incised into a metal plate, inked, and pressed onto paper to yield precise, richly toned reproductions. This medium democratized high art, allowing widespread dissemination of Sacchi and Coypel's vision beyond elite canvases, making celestial majesty accessible to devout viewers across Europe. A testament to 17th-century printmaking's artistry and influence.