Louis Xiv 

Editor: We’re looking at a portrait of Louis XIV, by Charles Le Brun. It’s an oil painting and quite striking. I am fascinated by the relationship between the textures. What aspects of this portrait do you find most compelling from a formal perspective? Curator: The arrangement of shapes within the composition immediately arrests the eye. Notice the powerful circular form created by the king's wig, which serves as a frame for the face. This circularity is then echoed, though in a more subdued manner, in the soft curves of the lace collar. Editor: That’s a fascinating observation. What's the effect of that circular composition on the viewer? Curator: It concentrates our gaze, focusing our attention on the King's visage. Consider, too, the deployment of light. Le Brun has employed it strategically to sculpt the forms, heightening the three-dimensionality of the face and costume. The interplay of light and shadow enhances the painting’s depth and dynamism. Does this heighten a sense of royal power for you? Editor: I hadn’t considered the dynamism so much, but now that you mention it, there's an inherent tension in the piece, particularly between the subject’s stoic expression and the flamboyance of his attire. The balance creates a fascinating dynamic. Curator: Precisely! This is not merely a representation, but a constructed image. By examining the formal elements, we come closer to deciphering Le Brun's intentions and artistic strategies in service of royal portraiture. Editor: Thank you; I see so many connections between composition and concept that I overlooked at first. Curator: And that’s the pleasure of a deeper look.