text: The depiction of the king in this manner focused on 
  allegorical or mythological attributes, instead of 
  attempting to produce a true likeness. As Louis 
  aged, so too did the manner in which he was 
  depicted. Nonetheless, there was still a disparity 
  between realistic representation and the demands of 
  royal propaganda. There is no better illustration of 
  frequently- 
  in Hyacinthe Rigaud's 
  this 
  reproduced*Portrait of Louis XIV of 1701*, in which 
  a 63-year-old Louis appears to stand on a set of 
  unnaturally young legs.[115] 
  
  than 
  
  Rigaud's portrait exemplified the height of royal 
  portraiture during Louis's reign. Although Rigaud 
  crafted a credible likeness of Louis, the portrait was 
  neither meant as an exercise in realism nor to 
  explore Louis's character. Certainly, Rigaud was 
  concerned with detail and depicted the king's 
  costume with great precision, down to his shoe 
  Bronze bust of Louis XIV. Circa 
  1660, by an unknown artist. From 
  Paris, France. The Victoria and 
  Albert Museum, London. 