French School, 18th Century

Collection of the Rochechouart de Mortemart Family since the 18^th Century;

Thence by descent. 

As the eldest of Louis XIV’s children, Louis de France was born Dauphin de France. Strictly educated, he became interested in art and before long became a significant collector, chiefly of porcelain, gemstones and paintings. At the age of nineteen, Louis de France married Maria Anna of Bavaria with whom he had three children: Louis, Duc de Bourgogne; Philippe, Duc d’Anjou and future King of Spain; and Charles, Duc de Berry. A widower at the age of twenty-eight, his second marriage was to Emilie de Joly de Choin, who had been his mistress for years. Louis died before his father in 1711, so never ascended the throne. He was named Grand Dauphin after his death, so as to avoid confusion with his son Louis, Duc de Bourgogne.

The Grand Dauphin is shown here wearing armour that alludes to his military might, with the ribbon of the Order of the Holy Spirit across his breast. His facial features are youthful and aristocratic.

The author of our painting could have been inspired by Pierre Drevet’s engraving, in reverse, produced in 1700 or 1701 after a painting by Hyacinthe Rigaud in which Louis de France is portrayed waist-length, or alternatively by Robert Gaillard’s engraving, facing the same way but with the later date of 1711.