Louis XIV of France 1655 - 1690

This is François Bertinet’s metal roundel of Louis XIV of France. The Sun King, as he was known, ruled France for 72 years, a period marked by the consolidation of royal power, the expansion of Versailles, and a rigid court life that mirrored Louis’s vision of absolute authority. Portraits of Louis XIV were carefully crafted to project an image of power, divine right, and magnificence. In this roundel, we see the King presented in profile, adorned with elaborate curls and regal attire. Note how the lion's head on his shoulder alludes to his courage. The inscription proclaims him "Ludovicus Magnus," Louis the Great, King of France and Navarre. This object served as a powerful tool of propaganda. Louis XIV was acutely aware of the power of image-making, using it to construct a persona of invincibility. It also reveals how identity, particularly that of a monarch, was carefully curated. This piece invites us to consider the relationship between power, representation, and the construction of identity in the 17th century.