How Did King Louis Xiv Influence Modern Art

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During the age of absolutism, King Louis XIV was one of the most well-known leaders in Western Europe. As an absolute ruler, it was believed that King Louis held his power directly from God. He maintained his authority by controlling a centralized government and a powerful standing army while pursuing economic policies designed to maximize both his own wealth and the wealth of the state. Under his rule, France developed one of the most powerful militaries and became one of the most influential leaders in the West . King Louis XIV had a great appreciation for the arts—from paintings and architecture to fashion and music—King Louis spent vast amounts of money and set standards for art that are still followed today. As exemplified by his establishment of Château de Versailles, King Louis made large impacts on European culture through art …show more content…

It encompassed the ideas that artists should chose only serious and elevated subjects such as battles or miraculous events. The art should be drawn from Classical or Christian history and should reject ordinary or crude subject matter. The term is often used to describe a style of paintings that incorporated visual metaphors that were symbols of nobility and wealth. For grand mannerists , it was believed that the artist should perceive their subjects through generalization and idealization rather than simply copying nature. Popular paintings of these times involved pastoral backgrounds, vast fields often displayed with shepherds, which represented large estates and humble sincerity. The architecture of Grand Manner was depicted as classical— involving highly refined buildings often with large columns and pillars—which was meant to signify a civilized demeanor. Some of the most popular artists of the time recognized for their Grand Manner were Nicolas Poussin, Claude Lorrain, and Hyacinthe Riguad all of whom were popular during the rule of King Louis

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