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03-06-2026
François-Charles Buteux

France, 1724 - France, 1797

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Frame Louis XVI

1783. Carved, Water gilding, Joined / assembled.
Not on display

This Louis XVI carved frame in French oak is modelled on the so-called “trophy frame” popular in the late 18th century. The exquisite carving and the varied decorative motifs – particularly the garlands carved from a single piece of wood, and the royal emblems – serve to enhance the painting itself. Together with this magnificent frame –the only one of its kind in the museum’s collection – the picture (P002238) was a diplomatic gift.

Technical data

Imagen del carrusel
Imagen del carrusel
Imagen del carrusel
Imagen del carrusel
Imagen del carrusel

Related artworks

Louis XVI
Oil on canvas, 1778 - 1779
Antoine-François Callet
Inventory number
M000996
Author
François-Charles Buteux -Designer, Maker-
Title
Frame Louis XVI
Date
1783
Technique
Carved; Water gilding; Joined / assembled
Medium
Oak wood
Dimension
Height: 387 cm; Width: 240.99998 cm; Profundidad de moldura: 8 cm; Alto (de luz): 272.8 cm; Ancho (de luz): 192.2 cm; Ancho de moldura: 25.5 cm
Provenance
Commissioned by François-Charles Buteux; Royal Collection (Gift of Louis XVI to the Count of Aranda, 1783; bought by Isabella II in the will of the Duke of Hijar; entered the Museo del Prado in 1864)
Entry date
1864
Style/Model
Neoclassical
Structure
Cassetta frame
Framing system
Rebated
Decorative motifs
Allegory
Antropomorphous motifs
Tongues
Escutcheon
Cartridges
Trophies
Acanthus leaves
Flowers
Ribbon and stick
Bay leaves
Festoons or garlands
Hangings

Cross section +

Ogee section

Bibliography +

Montesa, Marqués de, Heráldica en el Museo del Prado, Arte Español, Revista Española de Arte, 25 (2), 1967, pp. p.92.

Mitchell, Paul; Roberts, Lynn, Frameworks. Form, function & ornament in European portrait frames, Merrell Holberton Publishers, London, 1996, pp. 306-311.

Medlam, Sarah, Callet’s portrait of Louise XVI: A picture frame as diplomatic tool, Forniture History, 43, 2007, pp. 143-154.

Lepage, Damien, François-Charles Buteux (1724-1797), maître sculpteur des Bâtiments du Roi. Grandeur et misère des bordures retrouvées, Les cahiers d'histoire de l'art, 14, 2016, pp. 43.

Other inventories +

Inv. Real Museo, Adiciones, 1857-1870. Núm. 3038.
3038. Retrato de Luis 16. / En lienzo con un magnífico marco, procedente del real palacio por haberlo adquirido S.M. de la testamentaria de E.S. duque de Hijar, fue trasladado al museo en 28 de junio de 1864.

Inscriptions +

DONNE PAR LE ROI A MR. LE CTE. D´ARANDA AMBASSADEUR DE LA COUR D´ESPAGNE AUPRÈS DE SA MAJESTÉ EN L´ANNEE 1783
Inscribed. Frame, front, lower bar

Displayed objects +

Heraldic: Escudos acolados de Borbón (las lises) y de Navarra (las cadenas), posible alusión a un título de pretensión de la corte de Francia: el de rey de Navarra (Marqués de Montesa, 1967: 92).

Update date: 03-06-2026 | Registry created on 23-11-2023

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