Old Master Print – Louis XI Wearing The Order Of Saint Michael By Nicolas De Larmessin

Old Master Print – Louis XI Wearing the Order of Saint Michael by Nicolas de Larmessin (Paris, 1645–1725) Louis XI (born in Bourges (Cher) on July 3, 1423 – died at the Château de Plessis-lès-Tours (La Riche, Indre-et-Loire) on August 30, 1483), of the House of Valois, was King of France from 1461 until his death. He was described as the most terrible king ever in France, and his historian Philippe de Commynes nicknamed him the universal spider, spinning his web everywhere to trap his enemies. In this print, he wears the Order of Saint Michael. The confirmation of the order by Pope Paul II suggests that the king initially intended to found a religious order, but it took on a secular character. The motto of the order was Immensi Tremor Oceani (Latin: "The Terror of the Vast Ocean"). The spiritual seat of the order was at the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, but due to its difficult access, the order used various churches as chapels over the centuries. Fifteen knights were appointed by the king; the others were chosen by the chapter of the order, which met annually on September 29. On May 8, the knights met in full dress: white coats, blue hats, and wore the chain of the order. The knights' insignia consisted of a gold medallion depicting Saint Michael slaying a dragon, suspended from a gold chain composed of intertwined letters "S" and scallop shells. As was the custom at the time, the knights wore their chain every day. The print is part of the series Les Augustes Representations de tous les Rois de France by Nicolas de Larmessin (Paris, 1645–1725). Frame and print in good condition; a slight crease is visible on the left side of the image, but is not disturbing.

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