Preparation to the portrait of dauphin Louis de France, son of Louis XV 

Maurice Quentin de La Tour captured this pastel portrait of Louis de France, son of Louis XV, during a time of strict social hierarchies in France. This preparatory sketch offers a glimpse into the world of the French aristocracy. The portrait reveals the expectations placed on individuals born into power. Louis's face, rendered with delicate precision, reflects both the weight of his lineage and the softness of youth. The powdered wig, a symbol of status and formality, frames his face, hinting at the performative nature of royal identity. The gaze, direct yet somewhat melancholic, speaks to the isolation that can accompany privilege. What does it mean to be born into a role, predetermined by history and circumstance? La Tour's sketch invites us to consider the human dimension of monarchy, offering a moment of reflection on the individual within the institution. It reminds us that even those seemingly destined for greatness are subject to the complexities of identity and experience.