Jean-marc Nattier (studio Of) - Portrait Of Louis De Bourbon, Duke Of Penthièvre

Oil on canvas, cleaned and re-varnished.
81 cm by 65 cm.
This painting is the work of the studio of the master Jean-Marc Nattier (1685–1766).

Portrait of Louis-Jean-Marie de Bourbon (1725–1793) around the age of 15, in ceremonial armor. He was a prince of the House of Bourbon, which granted him the privilege of wearing the Golden Fleece. This honor was bestowed upon princes of the blood.

Louis de Bourbon was the son of Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, himself the legitimized son of King Louis XIV of France and Madame de Montespan. He would inherit from his father the titles of Duke of Penthièvre, Châteauvillain, Arc-en-Barrois, and Rambouillet.

He was appointed Admiral of France at the age of 12. This explains the presence of the masts in the background.

Another, later painting by Nattier depicts the prince in the same composition.

He amassed a colossal fortune and inherited numerous titles, making him a vast landowner as well as one of the wealthiest men in Europe. He is portrayed as a pious and very charitable man.