Portrait of Louis XIV - Pieter van Schuppen

A formal 1664 engraving of Louis XIV, King of France, featuring the monarch in armour within an ornate oval frame.

This engraving depicts Louis XIV, the Sun King of France, captured in a formal oval frame. Pieter van Schuppen executed this work based on an original design by Robert Nanteuil, a master of the portrait print during the seventeenth century. The composition follows the conventions of royal portraiture, presenting the monarch in armour, which signifies his role as the supreme military commander of the French state.

The technical precision of the engraving is evident in the rendering of the king's voluminous periwig and the delicate lace cravat at his throat. Van Schuppen employs a system of cross-hatching and varying line weights to create depth and texture, particularly in the metallic sheen of the breastplate. The oval frame is inscribed with Latin text, identifying the subject as the King of France and Navarre, while the base of the frame features the royal coat of arms, complete with the fleur-de-lis and the crown.

Nanteuil, who is credited on the print for the original drawing, was known for his ability to capture the likeness of the French court with remarkable accuracy. This print reflects the formalised aesthetic of the Bourbon monarchy, where every element, from the subject's gaze to the heraldic symbols, serves to communicate authority and absolute power. The monochromatic palette relies on the contrast between the dark, dense lines of the hair and the lighter, more open areas of the face and lace. This work provides a clear example of the high level of craftsmanship achieved by printmakers in the seventeenth century, who were tasked with disseminating the image of the monarch across Europe.