Louis XV as a Roman Emperor

ca. 1750–60

Not on view

This large figure study can be connected to a lost painting, L'Ami de la paix, depicting the French king Louis XV in the garb of a Roman emperor. The drawing is primarily a study for the costume and the pose; the king’s features are only summarily indicated. Two compositional studies in ink and wash (Graphische Sammlung Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London) must have preceded our study, judging from the large scale of the figure and the level of detail. The Latin inscription on the stone refers to olive branches replacing spears.

A similar costume and pose was adopted by the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle for a bronze monument commissioned in 1755 and erected in Reims in 1765.

Perrin Stein (2017)

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Louis XV as a Roman Emperor
Artist: Michel François Dandré-Bardon (French, Aix-en-Provence 1700–1783 Paris)
Date: ca. 1750–60
Medium: Red and white chalk on gray prepared paper
Dimensions: Sheet: 17 5/8 × 13 1/2 in. (44.7 × 34.3 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Purchase, Stephen A. Geiger Gift, 2017
Object Number: 2017.49
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Michel François Dandré-Bardon

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Mary Magdalene Praying at the Foot of the Cross, Michel François Dandré-Bardon French, Etching — Mary Magdalene Praying at the Foot of the Cross
Michel François Dandré-Bardon
1720–83

Equestrian Group, Michel François Dandré-Bardon French, Pen and brown ink over red chalk underdrawing — Equestrian Group
Michel François Dandré-Bardon
Charles Nicolas Cochin II
18th century

The Death of Socrates, Michel François Dandré-Bardon French, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over red chalk heightened with white gouache. — The Death of Socrates
Michel François Dandré-Bardon
ca. 1749

Procession at Memphis, Michel François Dandré-Bardon French, Pen and brown ink over red chalk underdrawing, squared in black chalk — Procession at Memphis
Michel François Dandré-Bardon
Charles Nicolas Cochin II
18th century

An Allegory Comparing Music and Poetry, Michel François Dandré-Bardon French, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over red chalk and traces of black chalk, heightened with white gouache — An Allegory Comparing Music and Poetry
Michel François Dandré-Bardon
1740

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.