Art Institute of Chicago

A Portrait Medallion of King Louis XV Surrounded by Putti Carrying the Attributes of Fame and History

Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin

Date

1774

Medium

Graphite, with traces of pen and black ink, on parchment, tipped onto white paper, tipped on blue card

Culture

France

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Although Gabriel de Saint-Aubin failed in his attempts to be accepted by the Royal Academy as a history painter, he never gave up entirely his work in historical subjects, and he loved to endow political figures with ornamental relish. This drawing might have decorated a treatise; it is inscribed by the artist with the declaration “The Heart of the French ( Le Coeur des Français )” and signed and dated January 11, 1774.

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