Portrait of Louis XVI 1775 - 1799

This is an undated print of Louis XVI whose author is unknown; it now resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The figure is encased within an oval frame. The texture of the paper, combined with the printmaking technique, gives the image a soft, almost hazy quality, which softens the contours of the king’s face and clothing. The composition is carefully structured to convey the king’s status. The use of line and shape directs our attention to the king’s face, which is softly lit and framed by a powdered wig. His gaze, though slightly averted, exudes a sense of composed authority. The sash and medals across his chest serve as symbolic markers of his power. In terms of semiotics, the oval shape of the frame acts as a signifier of traditional portraiture, containing the king within a formal and historical context. Yet, even within these constraints, the print engages with ideas of representation and power. It invites us to reflect on how portraits function as cultural symbols, embodying status, identity, and historical narrative.