Louis II of Bourbon, Prince of Condé, cuirassed bust

Localisation : The Reading Room
Année de création :1688
Artiste :Antoine Coysevox

Description

This sculpted portrait of the Great Condé, rebel and heroic victor at Rocroi, translates the full splendour of this character. The princely carriage of the head, the disdainful look, prominent cheekbones, hooked nose, and hair that seems to be moving on his shoulders, allude to the imposing personality of this prince by blood, cousin of Louis XIV who was an insatiable warrior and rebel, as well as an enlightened patron. Coysevox executed several portraits of the Great Condé. It is likely he made this bust when the prince was alive. He appears younger than in the bronze bust in the Louvre Museum, although it is close to this one and was commissioned posthumously by his nephew, the Prince of Conti, in 1688.