Italian school; 18th century.

Italian School; 18th century.
“Saint Louis of France.”
Oil on canvas.
Shows signs of wear and restoration.
Measurements: 129 x 100 cm; 133 x 104.5 cm (frame).
In this work, the artist depicts a monarch clad in an ermine cloak and accompanied by the attributes of his royal dignity, as he kneels in prayer before a crucifix. The sovereign directs his gaze toward the image of Christ on the cross, with his hands clasped in a gesture of contemplation and devotion. The scene is completed by the presence of several angels who appear to be assisting and spiritually guiding the king, thus underscoring the close link between monarchical authority and the Christian faith—one of the fundamental principles of the divine right of kings.
The work depicts Saint Louis IX of France (Poissy, 1214 – Tunis, 1270), son of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. King of France from 1226, he was noted both for his governance and for his deep piety, to the point of becoming one of the most revered monarchs in European history. He participated in the Seventh and Eighth Crusades, promoted the founding of monasteries and hospitals, and led a life marked by austerity and piety. His reputation for holiness was such that he was canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297, becoming the only king of France to be officially elevated to sainthood.
Thanks to the combination of his religious and political virtues, Saint Louis became an ideal model of a Christian ruler and a role model for European monarchies of the Modern Age. During the Baroque period, his image was frequently depicted, especially in scenes that exalted his devotion and his status as a holy king. In fact, the iconography of Saint Louis became so firmly established that elements such as the crown, the royal mantle, the crucifix, or the presence of symbols of the French monarchy were sufficient to identify him.