Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre, 1701This was one of Louis XIV’s favorite portraits of himself. He liked it so much that he had many copies of the portrait made, in full and half-size format. (Louvre, Paris, France/Giraudon/The Bridgeman Art Library)> PICTURING THE PASTANALYZING THE IMAGE: Why do you think the king liked the portrait so much? What image of the king does it present to the viewer? What details does the painter include, and what impression do they convey?
CONNECTIONS: How does this representation of royal power compare with the images of Peter the Great and Charles I? Which do you find the most impressive, and why?