Louis Xiv
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Rigaud is conveying the image of King Louis XIV, as an absolute monarch in control. You can see this from the suggestion of haughtiness in the hes posing and the way he looks out at the viewer with directness. This would be a representational because it isnt smooth like marble, because its oil it will rub off on your hand if you want to feel it and oil, of course, tends to fade over time. So just because you think it may be smooth by looking at it, its a different feel when you touch or feel it, which Sayre talks about on page 19, The Physical Process of Seeing”. Theres definitely shallow space because the artist placed as if hes looking down at the viewer and you can see the light is on his face, side of his cloak and legs, which in my assumption, hes showing the viewer his best side. Hes the focus. Hes using costume appearance as a protocol to keep people busy. His shoes were specially made because, well hes short; Hes 54. Despite his size, the scale of the artwork is huge. Louis XIV adopted the nickname “le Roi Sleil which the Sun King because he was the center of the universe. Like the phrase, “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer” so he allowed his nobles benefits to keep them pacified but still maintained control over them to avoid rebellion. His hair and sword symbolizes power and nobility and the higher the hair, the more power a person has. His clothing is very stylish and elegant. Its a combination of white, blue and gold. He stands lavishly with his hand on his hip and his coronation robe thrown over his shoulder. Did you notice his legs and how feminine they are? I think thats why he intentionally had the robe thrown over his shoulder.
There is some use of tenebrism (painting in a “dark shadowy” manner) behind Louis XIV, you can barely make out his throne and on his right, and you cant really see his crown on the footstool. He even had the footstool to match his clothing. That shows how much power he had during his reign. Above Louis XIV, you see a beautiful red-orange with gold trimming throw/tapestry but looks more like a curtain. It was probably imported or he had it made, but it accentuates him and brings out the portrait, but he is focal point of the image. I love the red-orange with gold drapery above him. The way Louis XIV is dressed and how