Portrait of Louis XIV (1638-1715), King of France and Navarra ('Sun King')

A slightly smaller-than-life portrait of Louis XIV in patinated bronze, on a square red marble base. The face is turned slightly to the right (heraldically left). The monarch wears a contemporary and imposing 'in folio' wig, and an all'antica cuirass in Roman style, with the radiant sun – referring to Apollo – as the monarchical emblem of the Sun King partially visible behind the drapery. At the armrests two rows of lambrequins and a pleated sleeve are visible. On the lambrequins are engraved fleurs-de-lys. On the right shoulder the drapery, which serves as masking for the chest cutout, is held by a rosette-shaped button. The back of the bust is open, except for the back of the head. The whole shows a high degree of finish and detailing, demonstrating that the bronze was very carefully modelled in wax and chased after casting.