Portrait of King Louis XV as a child at the age of 10
Studio of Pierre Gobert (1662-1744)
18th century French School circa 1720

Oil on canvas: h. 82 cm, l. 62 cm
18th century period frame in gilded and carved wood
Framed dimensions: h. 105 cm, w. 82,5 cm

In a palatial setting open to the outside world, the young monarch stands, seen from mid-thigh up, near a gilded wooden console upon which rests the royal crown. Dressed in court attire, wearing an embroidered doublet with brocade-lined sleeves and a white lace cravat, he wears the blue ribbon of the Order of the Holy Spirit across his shoulder, while the white dove of the order is pinned to his waistcoat. His heavily powdered, curled hair frames his still-childlike face with its rosy cheeks, illuminated by hazel eyes with a gentle yet trusting gaze. His right hand rests solemnly on the royal crown, which is now in the foreground, while his heavy ermine royal mantle, lined with blue velvet embroidered with fleurs-de-lis, is draped over his left shoulder, held in the crook of his bent arm, his hand resting on his hip.

Our painting is a variant of a reduced size at mid-leg of a standing portrait of the young king, the original of which painted by Pierre Gobert (probably lost or destroyed) was engraved by Jean Audran. This portrait of the young Louis
This composition highlighting the young monarch in court dress, more touching and intimate, than his portrait executed by Rigaud in coronation dress, allows us to better detect the art and style of Pierre Gobert, great court portraitist, working for Louis XIV, the Regent and then for Louis XV, he was one of the rare painters of his time to paint real portraits of children. His sensitivity was noticed by the Duchess of Lorraine, the sister of the Regent, mother of 14 children who had ordered numerous effigies of her offspring from him.

Related works:
• Full-length portrait of Louis XV by Pierre Gobert, oil on canvas, 144 cm x 110.5 cm, Fundación Yannick i Ben Jakober, Majorca, Spain Sa Bassa Blanca Museum
• Full-length portrait of Louis XV by Pierre Gobert, National Museum of Warsaw, oil on canvas, 44 x 32 cm
• Half-length portrait, workshop of Pierre Gobert, Aguttes sale, 29/05/2018, lot n 48, oil on canvas, 93.5 cm x 73.5 cm
• Full-length portrait, Musée Saint Loup, Troyes, oil on canvas 162 x 111 cm, circa 1720