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Louis, Grand Dauphin (1661–1711), was the eldest son and heir of King Louis XIV of France and Maria Theresa of Spain. As the heir apparent to the French throne, he was styled Dauphin. He became known as le Grand Dauphin after the birth of his own son, le Petit Dauphin. Louis XIV had a low opinion of his son, describing him as "indolent, fatuous, and dull". As Louis died before his father, he never became king, but his grandson acceded to the throne as Louis XV in 1715.
This oil-on-canvas portrait of Louis was produced in 1688 by the workshop of Hyacinthe Rigaud, who was one of the most important French portrait painters of the time. Rigaud's instinct for impressive poses and grand presentations precisely suited the tastes of the royal personages, ambassadors, clerics, courtiers, and financiers who sat for him. In this painting, Louis is portrayed in armour, holding a ceremonial baton in his right hand, with the Siege of Philippsburg depicted in the background. The work is now on display in the Palace of Versailles.Painting credit: Workshop of Hyacinthe Rigaud