LOUIS XIV, ROI DE FRANCE ET DE NAVARRE (1638-1715)

Rare intaglio engraving, titled "Louis Le Grand", depicting him full-length in coronation garb. By Pierre DREVET (1663-1738), after Hyacinthe RIGAUD (1659-1743). 18th century, circa 1712-1715. In a blackened wood frame decorated with gilded metal fleurs-de-lis at the corners. H. 68.8 x L. 52 cm (when viewed). H. 77.7 x W. 60.7 cm (frame). Related works - Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743), "Portrait de Louis XIV en costume de sacre", 1700-1701, oil on canvas, H. 277 x W. 194 cm, Musée du Louvre. - Jean-Marc Nattier (1685-1766), "Portrait de Louis XIV", 1710-1712, pencil, pen and white wash drawing on paper, Phoenix Art Museum. History A long-standing friend of Hyacinthe Rigaud, Pierre Drevet was influenced by the future king's portraitist through their simultaneous attendance at Gérard Audran's studio. Indeed, it was Rigaud who encouraged the engraver to turn his attention to portraiture, making him his appointed engraver. The commission for this engraving came from the Director of the King's Buildings, who ordered that a printed replica of Rigaud's portrait be produced. Pierre Drevet's name was chosen, given his reputation in the field. However, when he produced this interpretation of Rigaud's painting, the engraver never worked from the original canvas, but from an intermediate drawing by Jean-Marc Nattier (see above). It is likely, however, that Drevet was supervised and supported by the original painter for this project.