Portrait Of The Duke Of Berry, Grandson Of Louis XIV

Portrait of the Duke of Berry (1686-1714), grandson of Louis XIV Oil on canvas depicting Charles of France, Duke of Berry, in armor, wearing a black beret and a heavy gold chain adorned with a medallion. On the reverse, a biographical inscription recalls his destiny: son of the Grand Dauphin and Marie-Anne of Bavaria, he married Marie-Louise-Élisabeth d'Orléans, daughter of the Regent, in 1710. He died prematurely at the age of 27, leaving behind the memory of a warrior prince with a great future ahead of him. This type of portrait is representative of the official effigies of the princes of the House of Bourbon during the reign of Louis XIV. In the central medallion we find the archangel Saint Michael slaying the dragon. The iconography of Saint Michael, leader of the celestial armies, is here in accordance with tradition: armed, wings outstretched, striking the dragon, symbol of the devil. This powerful iconography embodies the victory of good over dark forces, but also the spiritual protection granted to the believer.