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Portrait of Louis, Grand Dauphin of France
(Baroque Europe )
Louis (1661-1711), as the eldest son and heir of the French king Louis XIV, bore the title grand dauphin. His flowing hair is a wig and represents the latest court fashion. The effect of the loose flesh in his cheeks is countered by the assertive discipline of his Roman-style armor with ferocious masks on the breastplate and shoulders.
Le Marchand created exceptionally delicate portraits in ivory. Its fine grain makes it possible to carve very subtle facial features. At this time, the artist worked in Edinburgh, occasionally producing portraits like this one for Scottish exiles living in France as guests if Louis XIV.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Robert Napier, West Shandon, near Glasgow; Shandon Collection Sale, Christie's London, April 11, 1877, lot no. 2108; William T. Walters, Baltimore, 1877, by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1894, by inheritance; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2000 | Small Northern European Portraits from The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. National Gallery of Art, Washington. |
Geographies
United Kingdom, Scotland, Edinburgh (Place of Origin)
Measurements
30 5/16 x 24 7/16 in. (77 x 62 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. Walters, 1877
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
71.480