Louis XV (1710–1774) as a Child

Rigaud's portrait of the young Louis XV, painted between 1716 and 1724, depicts the boy king who inherited the throne at age five following his great-grandfather Louis XIV's death. Rigaud had been the official court portraitist under Louis XIV and continued to serve the regency government. The portrait conveys monarchical authority through elaborate costume and formal pose despite the sitter's youth, embodying the continuity of Bourbon dynastic power.

Rigaud's oil-on-canvas technique showcases his legendary ability to render rich fabrics and royal insignia with breathtaking illusionism. The sumptuous handling of ermine, velvet, and lace creates a surface of baroque opulence that serves the portrait's political purpose.