Bonne, Nonne and Ponne, Dogs of King Louis XIV
by DESPORTES, Alexandre-François, Oil on paper laid on cradled panel, 34 x 40 cm
The triple portrait of the canines, Bonne, Nonne and Ponne was a 1702 royal commission from King Louis XIV for his suite’s antechamber at his Marly residence. Louis XIV adored his dogs and never neglected their care. Sometimes he left his council to visit them and he often fed them dinner personally.
The present preparatory sketch was for the painting that is now in the collections of the Mus�e de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris.