Portrait of Louis XIV in armor
1670–80
Medium
Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions
4.8 × 3.8 cm (1 7/8 × 1 1/2 in.); Framed: 7.3 × 5.7 cm (2 7/8 × 2 1/4 in.)
Classification
miniature painting
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
86517
Art Historical Context
This exquisite miniature portrait captures King Louis XIV of France in armor, painted by Pierre Bordier between 1670 and 1680. Created in watercolor on ivory, the measures just under two inches tall, emphasizing its role as a personal or diplomatic object rather than a grand state image. The king’s martial depiction reflects the era’s emphasis on royal authority and military prowess during France’s period of European dominance. Miniature painting on ivory was a refined art form prized in the seventeenth century for its luminous surface and ability to hold fine detail. Artists like Bordier use...