Louis XIV armed on the land and on the sea

Details

After Charles Le Brun
Louis XIV armed on the land and on the sea
oil on canvas
28 x 39½ in. (71.1 x 100.3 cm.)

Special notice

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Lot Essay

After the picture of 1672 by Charles Le Brun in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Auxerre. Having decided to fight the Dutch Louis is armed by the Gods who offer their service: Mars arrives on his chariot, Vulcan brings armour, Ceres descends from a chariot drawn by dragons, Neptune brings his troops and Apollo presides over fortifications. At Louis' side is the messenger God, Mercury, Athena hovers over Mercury, crowning the king with a golden helmet. On the other side of Louis he is counselled by Foresight and in the clouds above his head Diligence appears with her hour glass and cockerel (Charles Le Brun, 1619-80; Peintre et Dessinateur, Versailles, 1963, p. 113).

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