King Louis XV

This French School portrait depicts Louis XV, King of France (1710-1774) as a handsome youth dressed in armour with the blue sash of the Order of Saint Esprit under an ermine-lined blue cloak embroidered with a fleur-de-lys motif and secured with a ruby brooch.

Known as Louis the Well Beloved, Louis XV succeeded his great-grandfather to rule as King of France and Navarre from the age of five until his death in 1774. Although he was betrothed in 1721 to the heiress of Spain, she was considered to be too young so he instead married an older Polish princess who provided him with an heir.

Painted in watercolour on vellum, the portrait remains in very good condition with good colour. It is set in a silver frame with a gold mount.