Hyacinthe Rigaud: Portrait of the Great Dauphin 1708 Madrid, Palacio Real We have all heard about the "Sun King" Louis XIV who built the palace of Versailles, but who knows about his son "The Grand Dauphin"? This Louis is largely forgotten by history. Versailles has devoted an excellent exhibition to him. Memorialist Saint-Simon called him "Son of a king, father of a king but never a king himself." He also unkindly described the Grand Dauphin as "wallowing in fat and lethargy"! Louis the Grand Dauphin (1661-1711), was given a new title at birth: "Monseigneur". The above painting shows the Grand Dauphin in heroic action as a conqueror at the siege of Philippsburg in 1688 which opened the way to Germany. He was 27 years old. He holds the marshal's baton and wears the white sash of royalty. The royal palace in Spain has loaned the above portrait, along with some precious items from the Dauphin's collection, including a pai...
Enfant qui joue avec un chien (Child playing with a dog) (portrait of Louise-Gabrielle Greuze) 1767 Private Collection The painting above shows the younger of the painter's two daughters; it was one of his most famous paintings in its day. The girl, in her night attire, and the dog are portrayed with feeling. Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725-1805) is often thought of as just a painter of sentimental pictures of children. This exhibition demonstrates, however, that he had several strings to his bow. Not the least of them was being an excellent portrait painter: Portrait du libraire (portrait of bookseller) François Babuty 1761 Private Collection Françoi...