Friday, April 8, 2011

Louis at the Plow

Here is a print of the painting originally sent to the Archduchess Marie-Antoinette depicting her future husband helping the peasants at their work, entitled Monseigneur le Dauphin labourant. Share

4 comments:

lara77 said...

I remember reading years ago of this painting and how historians sneered at this painting ; attesting to the Dauphin's ungainly appearance and lowbrow interests like being a locksmith. I saw it as love of his people and wanting to identify with the average Frenchman. Did not his famous trip to Cherbourg only increase the love of his subjects and his love for the French People? Of course critics would say it was an inappropriate painting to send to the Archduchess Marie Antoinette.Yet, it said more of the man and the King he would try to be for his people.

elena maria vidal said...

I totally agree with you, Lara. I think it was a great portrait to send to Antoinette since it showed him to be a prince willing to work for his people. I am tired of a negative interpretation being put on every single thing that Louis did.

lara77 said...

Elena Maria, you are so right! Everything the King did is viewed as negative while Bonaparte is treated like a god! Just look at Bonaparte's tomb; total pretentiousness! I will always see the King as the better man, the Christian man who loved his wife and children, who loved his people and wanted no bloodshed to be spilled for his sake. If we all hopefully get to heaven some day; King Louis XVI is one man I would be most honored to meet.

elena maria vidal said...

I can't wait to meet him and Marie-Antoinette.