Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 232 works by Charles Le Brun in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Charles Le Brun left, the most famous is Apotheosis of Louis XIV (1600), in the collection of the Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest. Close behind it come Louis XIV, King of France and Louis XIV Visiting the Gobelins Factory (1673). Our catalog holds 232 works by Charles Le Brun; the gallery has kept the 100 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
Apotheosis of Louis XIV: A Triumph of Baroque Grandeur The painting “Apotheosis of Louis XIV,” executed by Charles Le Brun in 1677, stands as an unparalleled testament to the artistic fervor and opulent ambition of the French Baroque period. Measuring 109.5 x 78.3 cm, this monumental oil on canvas transcends mere depiction; it aspires to elevate Louis XIV—the Sun King—to divine status, embodying the very essence of royal authority and…
The artwork depicts Louis XIV, King of France, positioned as the central figure within a composition. He is shown in regal attire, standing amidst a group of people whose identities are obscured by the artist's choice to leave them faceless. The background features a serene landscape, characterized by a meandering river and mountains rising in the distance under a sky filled with clouds. The scene is rendered in pastel on…
Louis XIV Visiting the Gobelins Factory is an artwork by Charles Le Brun. This monumental depiction of the King of France captures a royal visit to the prestigious art institution. The scene focuses on Louis XIV at the Gobelins factory, a moment where the monarch moves through the space of production. It is a study of court life caught in a single, heavy breath.
Charles Le Brun’s “Expressions of the Passions of the Soul,” created around 1670, stands as a testament to Baroque artistry and psychological depth. More than just a depiction of a man's face, it’s an embodiment of raw emotion—a visceral portrayal of rage captured with meticulous detail and masterful chiaroscuro techniques.
Charles Le Brun’s “The Repentant Magdalen,” painted in 1655, is more than just a portrait; it's a profound meditation on human fallibility, spiritual yearning, and the arduous path to redemption. Housed within the hallowed halls of the Louvre Museum in Paris, this oil-on-canvas masterpiece immediately draws the viewer into a world of intense emotion and carefully constructed symbolism. Le Brun, a pivotal figure in 17th-century French art, masterfully employs his…
In the hallowed stillness of the Musée du Louvre, there exists a canvas that does more than merely depict a biblical event; it captures the very essence of human grief. Charles Le Brun’s Pietà, painted in 1643, is a monumental achievement of the Baroque era, serving as a profound meditation on sorrow, faith, and the weight of mortality. Originally commissioned for the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris—a sanctuary dedicated to the relics…
Charles Le Brun’s “Hercules (detail)” is not merely a depiction of a mythological hero; it's an immersive experience, a vibrant tableau vivant that transports the viewer to the heart of 17th-century French courtly life. Painted in 1658, this exquisite work embodies the height of Baroque artistry – a potent blend of classical ideals, dramatic dynamism, and opulent detail. It’s a testament to Le Brun's mastery as both a painter and…
Charles Le Brun’s “Apotheose of Louis XIV,” painted in 1677, isn't merely a portrait; it’s a meticulously crafted declaration of royal authority, a visual embodiment of the Sun King’s absolute power. Commissioned during a pivotal moment in French history – following the scandalous arrest of his predecessor, Nicolas Fouquet – this monumental work served as both a celebration of Louis XIV and a strategic assertion of the monarchy's legitimacy. Le…
Charles Le Brun’s “Martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist at Porta Latina,” painted in 1641, isn’t merely a historical depiction; it’s a visceral plunge into suffering and faith. This monumental canvas, currently residing within the serene walls of the Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris, pulsates with an intensity rarely found in Baroque art. Measuring a commanding 282 x 224 centimeters, the painting immediately overwhelms the viewer with its scale and…
The canvas erupts from a heavy, shadowed base into a vertical ascent of white and gold. Christ rises, his body an athletic silhouette cutting through the darkness of the tomb. He moves upward, driven by a divine momentum that pulls the eye toward the heavens. Around him, the air seems to churn with the weight of billowing drapery and swirling clouds. The light does not merely illuminate; it emanates from…
The Repentant Magdalen (detail)1655 · The Louvre
12
The Triumph of Faith1658 · Château
13
Portrait of the Sculptor Nicolas Le Brun1635 · Residenzgalerie
14
Louis XIV Visiting the Gobelins FactoryThe Louvre
15
Daedalus and Icarus1645 · Hermitage Museum
16
Hercules Liberates Hesione1653 · Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe
17
The Holy Family in Egypt1660 · Minneapolis Institute of Art
18
Louis XIV. presenting his sceptre and helmet to Jesus Christ1674 · Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
19
Christ on the cross surrounded by angels1600 · Groeningemuseum
20
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple1645 · Detroit Institute of Arts
21
The Road to Calvary1600 · Museum of Fine Arts
22
The Death of Cato of Utica1646
23
Hercules Vanquishing Diomedes1640 · Nottingham Castle Museum And Art Gallery
24
The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew1647
25
Allegorical Female Figure with Two Putti1640
26
Bust of an Elderly Woman1654 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
27
Allegory of Strength1654 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
28
Genius Holding a Shield1654 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
29
Genius Holding a Shield1654 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
30
Christ in the Desert Served by Angels1653
31
The Descent of the Holy Spirit1656
32
The Striking of the Rock1650
33
The Crucifix with Angels1650
34
Door of the Unicorn1659
35
The Tomb of Seneca1650
36
Saint John the Evangelist at Patmos1656 · Grand Trianon
37
The Fall of the Rebel Angels1650 · Opera House
38
Presumed Portrait of the Artist Presenting That of a Military Officer1650 · Opera House
39
The Fall of the Rebel Angels1650 · Opera House
40
Christ in the Garden of Olives1659
41
Portrait of Louis XIV1650 · la Cour D'or
42
The Brazen Serpent1649
43
Venus Clipping Cupid’s Wings1655 · Museo de Arte de Ponce
44
Judgement of Paris1650 · National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba
45
La Lapidation de saint Étienne by Charles Le Brun1651
46
Apotheosis of Luis XIV.1660 · Slovak National Gallery
47
Mary Magdalene1654 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
48
John at Patmos1654 · Bavarian State Painting Collections
49
Portrait of the painter Louis Testelin1650
50
The Martyrdom of St. Andrew1646 · J. Paul Getty Museum
51
Portrait of Nicolas Fouquet (1615-1680)1650
52
Saint Jean l'évangéliste à Patmos1658 · Musée Fabre
53
Mars and Venus1650
54
Water or The Triumph of Neptune and Amphitrite1662
55
Figures and Decorative Motifs1665
56
Air1664
57
Figures and Decorative Motifs1671
58
Autumn1662
59
Mars and Venus1674
60
The Battle of Arbelles1673
61
Battle of the Granicus1673
62
Night or Diane1662
63
Evening1662
64
The Massacre of the Innocents1665 · Dulwich Picture Gallery
65
Assumption of the Virgin1670 · Muzeum Palacu Króla Jana Iii w Wilanowie
66
The Gardener Children: Winter1675
67
Funerary Effigy of Henriette Sélincart1680 · Musee des Beaux-Arts
68
The King governs by himself, 16611681 · Château de Versailles
69
Order restored in the Kingdom's finances1681 · Château de Versailles
70
capture the citadel1681 · Château de Versailles
71
Descent from the Cross1679 · Musée des Beaux-Arts
72
The Adoration of the Shepherds1689
73
Christ carrying His cross1688
74
Musée Ingres-Bourdelle - Allégorie à la gloire de Louis XIV - Charles Le Brun1690 · Musée Ingres Bourdelle
75
Landscape1784 · Statens Museum For Kunst
76
Tapestry - “Fire” or “The Forges of Vulcan”1600 · Medeiros e Almeida Museum
77
La repas de Chimon
78
Alexander and Porus1665 · The Louvre
79
Portrait of Turenne1665 · Château de Versailles
80
The Conquest of Franche-Comté1674 · Château de Versailles
81
Allegory: Sculpture Working on the King's BustThe Louvre
82
Chancellor Séguier at the Entry of Louis XIV into Paris in 1660
83
Portrait of Senator Ya.F. DolgorukyHermitage Museum
84
The Family of Darius before Alexander1660 · Château de Versailles
85
The Resolution of Louis XIV to Make War on the Dutch Republic1671 · Musée des Beaux-Arts
86
Louis XIV 1
87
The Descent from the CrossShipley Art Gallery
88
The Holy FamilyFitzwilliam Museum
89
Le passage du Rhin
90
Le baptême de saint Eustache
91
Trois hommes à genoux
92
Christ en Croix
93
Alexandre et Porus ou La Défaite de Porus
94
Un fleuve; une tête de femme
95
Soldat casqué, à mi-corps
96
Fragment de bataille
97
Homme drapé prosterné. Jeune homme à mi-corps, les bras en avant
98
Neptune et Amphitrite ou Le Réveil des eaux
99
Equestrian Portrait of Louis XIV of France
100
Portrait of M. Quatrehomme du Lys
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Charles Le Brun | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Louvre |
Paris | 12 | Louis XIV, King of France, Expressions of the Passions of the Soul, The Repentant Magdalen |
 Château de Versailles |
Versailles | 7 | Louis XIV Visiting the Gobelins Factory, The King governs by himself, 1661, Order restored in the Kingdom's finances |
 Bavarian State Painting Collections |
Munich | 6 | Bust of an Elderly Woman, Allegory of Strength, Genius Holding a Shield |
 Opera House |
Versailles | 3 | The Fall of the Rebel Angels, Presumed Portrait of the Artist Presenting That of a Military Officer, The Fall of the Rebel Angels |
 Szépművészeti Múzeum |
Budapest | 2 | Apotheosis of Louis XIV, Apotheose of Louis XIV |
 Château |
Vaux le Vicomte | 2 | Hercules (detail), The Triumph of Faith |
 Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon |
Lyon | 2 | The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Louis XIV. presenting his sceptre and helmet to Jesus Christ |
 Hermitage Museum |
Saint Petersburg | 2 | Daedalus and Icarus, Portrait of Senator Ya.F. Dolgoruky |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
The artwork is the Portrait of the Sculptor Nicolas Le Brun, a painting executed by the artist Charles Le Brun. This portrait depicts Nicolas Le Brun, a French sculptor who was the father of the painter Charles Le Brun. The subject is a man presented in a half-length composition.
In the hallowed stillness of the Musée du Louvre, there exists a canvas that does more than merely depict a biblical event; it captures the very essence of human grief. Charles Le Brun’s Pietà, painted in 1643, is a monumental achievement of the Baroque era, serving as a profound meditation on sorrow, faith, and the weight of mortality. Originally commissioned for the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris—a sanctuary dedicated to the relics…
Charles Le Brun’s “The Repentant Magdalen,” painted in 1655, is more than just a portrait; it's a profound meditation on human fallibility, spiritual yearning, and the arduous path to redemption. Housed within the hallowed halls of the Louvre Museum in Paris, this oil-on-canvas masterpiece immediately draws the viewer into a world of intense emotion and carefully constructed symbolism. Le Brun, a pivotal figure in 17th-century French art, masterfully employs his…
The air feels heavy with a sacred stillness as the Holy Family rests within a landscape of weathered stone and ancient greenery. Mary sits in profile, her hands clasped in a gesture of quiet prayer that seems to anchor the entire composition. Beside her, the Christ Child and Joseph exist in a state of profound peace, their presence a soft weight against the backdrop of the world. The light descends…
Louis XIV Visiting the Gobelins Factory is an artwork by Charles Le Brun. This monumental depiction of the King of France captures a royal visit to the prestigious art institution. The scene focuses on Louis XIV at the Gobelins factory, a moment where the monarch moves through the space of production. It is a study of court life caught in a single, heavy breath.
The Funerary Effigy of Henriette Sélincart presents a close-up oval portrait of a woman, rendered in oil on Belgian black marble. The subject is depicted from the shoulders up, her head tilted slightly as her eyes remain closed or downcast. Her hands are clasped together in a gesture of prayer. The lighting originates from the upper left, casting soft shadows across the contours of her face and neck, which defines…
In this opulent and dynamic Baroque allegorical painting, titled Musée Ingres-Bourdelle - Allégorie à la gloire de Louis XIV - Charles Le Brun, the artist Charles Le Brun captures a sense of celestial triumph. Created about 1690, the work functions as a grand visual celebration of the French monarchy. The composition moves with a deliberate, sweeping energy that directs the viewer's attention toward the divine right of the sovereign. It…
Apotheosis of Louis XIV (1600), Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest. Louis XIV, King of France and Louis XIV Visiting the Gobelins Factory (1673) come next.
Apotheosis of Louis XIV, Louis XIV, King of France, Louis XIV Visiting the Gobelins Factory, Expressions of the Passions of the Soul, The Repentant Magdalen, Pietà, Hercules (detail), Apotheose of Louis XIV, Martyrdom of St John the Evangelist at Porta Latina and The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 232 works by Charles Le Brun, dated from 1635 to 1690.
Mostly in The Louvre (Paris), Château de Versailles (Versailles) and Bavarian State Painting Collections (Munich). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1650s: 30 of the 100 works on this page were made then, The Repentant Magdalen among them.
On this page, the earliest is Portrait of the Sculptor Nicolas Le Brun (1635) and the latest Musée Ingres-Bourdelle - Allégorie à la gloire de Louis XIV - Charles Le Brun (1690).
Man (27), Drapery (24) and Clouds (23), across the 100 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 41 of the 100 works on this page.
Baroque, judging by the originals on this page.
Louis XIV, King of France, Expressions of the Passions of the Soul and The Repentant Magdalen: the The Louvre, Paris holds 8 of the works on this page.
