Ludovico XV, dedication page 1739

Jean Daullé created this dedication page for Ludovico XV using a sanguine crayon. Daullé was deeply involved in the cultural and political milieu of 18th-century France, a society steeped in rigid class structures and defined by the opulence of the monarchy alongside widespread social inequality. The subject of the drawing, an old man with a beard, might initially seem like a study of an anonymous figure. However, during this period, representations of aging men often carried symbolic weight, embodying wisdom, experience, or even the burdens of leadership. The choice to depict such a figure in a dedication to Louis XV, is an interesting paradox. The image suggests themes of introspection and gravitas, qualities not always associated with the French monarchy. This piece invites us to consider the complexities of power, identity, and representation during a period of profound social and political change. It asks: what does it mean to dedicate such an image to a king? What emotions and reflections does this juxtaposition evoke?