Inauguration de la statue equestre de Louis XV 1766

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin created this print of the Inauguration de la statue equestre de Louis XV using etching and engraving. Produced in France, this image encapsulates the spectacle and symbolism surrounding the monarchy in the 18th century. The print depicts the inauguration of an equestrian statue of King Louis XV. The statue itself stands in the background against a backdrop of grand architecture, likely a Parisian palace. In the foreground, allegorical figures representing France offer tribute to the king. Saint-Aubin, like many artists of his time, navigated the complex landscape of patronage and the art market. Prints like these played a crucial role in disseminating images of power and reinforcing the cultural authority of the monarchy. To fully understand this artwork, we might turn to period newspapers, royal archives, and theoretical texts. By exploring the social and institutional context, we gain insight into the artist's intentions and the print's significance within French society.