Portrait of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and The Dauphin 1786 - 1796

This is Augustin de Saint-Aubin's delicate portrait of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and their son, likely crafted using engraving techniques. The composition is strikingly simple: three profiles tightly framed within a dark oval set against a pale, rectangular background. The contrast heightens the subjects’ elegant features and elaborate hairstyles. Formally, the arrangement speaks volumes. The figures are presented in strict profile, a visual language that evokes classical cameos and coins. Yet, this format also imposes a kind of emotional distance. The profiles deny us direct eye contact, reducing the individuals to symbols of royalty rather than intimate portraits. Consider the sharp precision of the engraved lines, defining every curl and contour. This meticulous detail both elevates and objectifies the royal family. Ultimately, Saint-Aubin’s engraving encourages us to contemplate how representation shapes perception and power.