Description
Saint Louis IX, King of France, wears a royal crown and a blue garment patterned with fleurs-de-lis. In one hand he holds a scepter; in the other, the Crown of Thorns rests on a white cloth. The contrast between the two crowns is central to reading this icon: earthly kingship is set beside the Passion of Christ.
Louis IX and Sainte-Chapelle
Louis ruled France from 1226 to 1270. He acquired the relic venerated as Christ's Crown of Thorns in 1239 and commissioned Sainte-Chapelle in Paris to house relics of the Passion. This historical connection explains the crown held in the image; it is not a second royal insignia.
He died near Tunis in 1270 during a crusade and was canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297. His feast day is August 25.
Royal attributes and devotion to the Passion
The fleurs-de-lis identify the French monarchy, while the scepter and jeweled crown indicate his royal office. The cloth under the Crown of Thorns expresses reverent handling of a sacred object. The icon is a devotional interpretation, not a documentary likeness of the surviving relic.
A patron saint image for someone named Louis
The icon can accompany prayer and reflection on the responsibilities attached to authority. It is also suitable as a name-day or Confirmation gift for someone named Louis, or for a person interested in French Christian history. The specific attributes connect the saint's identity with the Passion and the medieval history of Paris.
Made in Poland on linden wood
Art Christiana makes this icon to order on a linden-wood board with two coats of primer. The image is printed directly onto the prepared surface and finished with decorative gold-tone metal leaf (schlagmetal). A certificate bearing the production year and a hanging fixture are attached to the back.