17th Century: Portrait Of An Officer In Armor, Wearing The Order Of Saint Louis

Displaying the Order of Saint Louis under Louis XIV is a rare privilege reserved for men who show great courage in the battles of the great century. This order honors, without consideration of status (noble or commoner, which was a considerable novelty at the time) the feats of arms of the military. He wears breastplate and haume, centuries-old symbol of his rank and the command sash tied at the waist, which symbolizes his important rank in the army. The heavy wig betrays the reign of the Sun King, also symbol of a very high rank in the aristocracy. Well painted, with a kind and modest air, this great personage of the kingdom despite his experience visible in his features, with a good figure, as they said then. A good quality re-lining from the beginning of the century, a recent cleaning, a regency style frame with slightly worn gold leaf, well adapted, honors this document of the military history of France. Frame circa 1900 dimensions 40F