A formal seventeenth-century engraving of King Louis XIV, featuring the monarch in armour surrounded by royal heraldry and military motifs.

This engraving depicts King Louis XIV of France, captured in a formal portrait style typical of the seventeenth-century French court. The work is based on an original design by the painter Pierre Mignard, with the engraving executed by the Flemish artist Pieter van Schuppen. The monarch appears within a central oval frame, wearing armour and a voluminous periwig, which was the standard fashion for the aristocracy of the period.

The composition is highly structured, incorporating traditional heraldic and military motifs. The oval portrait is surrounded by a laurel wreath, which is topped by a crown and crossed sceptres. Below the portrait, two putti support the royal coat of arms featuring the fleur-de-lis. The surrounding area is filled with an arrangement of military equipment, including cannons, drums, and flags, which serve to communicate the power and authority of the French crown. The precision of the line work demonstrates the technical skill required for copperplate engraving during this era.

Pieter van Schuppen was a prolific engraver who spent much of his career in Paris, where he became a member of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. His collaboration with Mignard allowed for the wide dissemination of royal imagery, which was a common practice for maintaining the public image of the Sun King. The print provides a clear example of the formal portraiture used to project the stability and strength of the Bourbon dynasty. The monochromatic nature of the engraving allows the viewer to focus on the textures of the armour, the fabric of the lace cravat, and the detailed rendering of the military trophies.