Portrait of Louis XV

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of 18th-century France with this striking *Portrait of Louis XV*, collaborative etching and engraving by Gilles Jacques Petit and Jeanienne Liotard. Created the height of the Bourbon monarchy, this first-state print captures the young king in regal poise, reflecting the era's fascination with royal iconography. Louis XV, who ruled from 1715 to 1774, was often depicted to symbolize stability and divine right, making such portraits essential tools for propaganda and admiration across Europe. The medium—etching combined with fine engraving—highlights the technical mastery of printmaking at the time. Etching allowed for fluid lines mimicking drawing, while engraving added precise detail, ideal for reproducing Liotard's renowned pastel-style portraits. As a first state of two, this impression retains the purest form before later alterations, offering collectors a rare glimpse into the artistic process. Liotard, a Swiss-born virtuoso known for his meticulous realism, brought lifelike subtlety to the king's features, blending Rococo elegance with unflinching observation. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Susan Schulman Printseller and Carolyn Bullard Fine Prints, 2009), this 10 1/2 x 7 3/8-inch plate exemplifies how prints democratized elite portraiture, bridging courtly splendor with public appreciation. A testament to Enlightenment-era artistry!

About the Artist

Gilles Jacques Petit|Jean Etienne Liotard (French|Swiss) · 1700 |1702 –1800 |1789

active Paris, 18th century|Swiss, Geneva 1702–1789 Geneva