King Louis XVI of France (1754-93) is wearing the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece and of St Esprit (the Holy Spirit) and is carrying a black hat under his arm. He also has a short, grey bag-wig which was fashionable in the eighteenth century – the back-hair of the wig was enclosed in an ornamental bag.
Louis XVI was the last king of France before the French Revolution. The royal family was forcibly brought from Versailles to Paris in October 1789 and their attempt to flee the country in 1791 ended when they reached Varennes. The monarchy was abolished in September 1792 and Louis was guillotined in January 1793.

The identity of the artist is unknown, but this miniature is adapted from a portrait of 1785, now at Versailles, by the state painter, Joseph Boze. It was engraved by Benoit Louis Henriquez, the court engraver, and in London by Thomas Curtis. It was used again by the court miniaturist Pierre Violet in a portrait showing 'The Unfortunate Louis 16th in the Dress he wore while confined in the Temple' which was engraved by Francesco Bartolozzi and published in London in February 1793, the month after King Louis was sent to the guillotine. The image was, therefore, well-known and easily available to copyists of miniatures.

Inscribed on the back in ink: Louis seize.