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…
that represented his absolute power. Louis dictated the standards for all forms of artistic production through his creation of the Academies. Through academies such as the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, the Academy of Dance, the Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Music, and the Academy of Architecture, he brought fame to himself as well as set standards for the arts that lasted more than two centuries. From these standards certain forms of art became popular. Grand Manner is defined as an aesthetic style derived from classical art.
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
XIV. Preceding the popularity of King Louis XIV and his influence on the arts, the artistic style of Mannerism predominated in Italy from the end of the Renaissance to the beginnings of the Baroque style. The Mannerist style involved art that was more focused on style and technique than meaning and content. Contrary to the style of Grand Manner, Mannerism was described as having psychological intensity, special complexity, artificiality and affectation. Similarities between the two styles involved the concept of idealization, elegance and the common subject matter of Christian history. Mannerists often painted subject matter that was based off the biblical stories and heroic images of classical art that predominated during the High Renaissance. Contrasting from the works that were popular during the time of King Louis, mannerists often exaggerated their artificiality to make the paintings less realistic. The figures in their works often were depicted as graceful but had unconventional proportions and stylized features with fixed o unnatural poses. For example, in a famous painting by Parmigianino, Madonna of the Long Neck, he depicted an unnatural Mother of God by adding elongated spider-like limbs and pictured her with an oversized Christ Child, both figures stuck in a fixed pose. Pictures like this represented how mannerists rejected the guiding principles of painting and often renounced symmetry and geometric clarity. Emphasizing on these aspects separates these Mannerist paintings from those of the more classical, Grand Manner style of art.
Louis XIV is considered the “perfect absolutist” and he has been said to have been one of the greatest rulers in France’s history. He came up with several different strategic plans to gain absolute
Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, was an absolutist monarch of France who sought to heavily suppress the power of novels while simultaneously promoting the ideals of a “divine right monarchy”. A man notorious for his incredible spending on various personal ventures, such as the extremely costly construction of a new palace at Versailles, Louis XIV was often the subject of criticism and mockery, especially from the nobles who hoped to discredit him and his absolutist regime. Overall, Louis XIV did predominantly act in a manner with his own personal agenda in mind, as seen through his Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, occurring as a result of his desire to have his country fall in line with his own beliefs, his unrelenting expenditures
King Louis XIV was a showy and self-absorbed king. His palace was representative of his personality and ideals. The Versailles palace architecture displayed Louis XIV ideals of secular issues. He cared more about spending money to show off his power. Unlike the Escorial, Versailles was centered on “The Sun King” instead of religion. At one point Louis XIV stated that “he was the state”. This statement was saying that Louis XIV represented the center and best of France. An example of this was that King Louis XIV lived in the middle of Versailles. Versailles was also very ornate and had the atmosphere of freeness. However, the Escorial was very basic like Philip II.
He moved his court because he did not feel safe in Paris and could watch over his court officials due to living so close to one another. This piece certainly provides evidence of what Louis himself valued, but perhaps these attributes are needed to effectively rule with absolutism. Throughout this entire document, the author is implying how great Louis is as a person and an effective ruler. He even goes to list his issues: “All his faults were produced by his surroundings...soon found out his weak point, namely, his love of hearing his own praises” (Saint-Simon). Louis cared deeply regarding his personal image and these weaknesses do not seem that drastic, but according to him, “It was this love of praise which made it easy for Louvois to engage him in serious wars” (Saint-Simon). The text gives historians information about Louis’ love-affair with Mademoiselle de la Valliere, compelling his courtiers to spend more than they earned creating a dependency, and other interesting details regarding his life that are excluded in textbooks. Overall, this document provides a deeper insight to King Louis XIV personality and justifications for why he chose the actions he did. Duc de Saint-Simon, someone that resided at the Palace of Versailles, can provide information about a man that ruled with an iron fist over his
Louis XIV was born on September 5, 1638, and ruled as King of France and of Navarre from May 14, 1643 until his death at the age of 76. He took over the throne a few months before his fifth birthday, but didn't actually assume actual control of the government until his First Minister, Jules Cardinal Mazarin, died in 1661. He was to become King of France after his father, Louis XIII, died of tuberculosis. He achieved the role of king by ways of hereditary monarchy, which is one of the ways to become a ruler, as stated by Machiavelli. Louis XIV is known as the 'The Sun King' and also known as 'Louis the Great.' He ruled over France for seventy-two years, which is the longest reign of any French or any other major European ruler and increased the power and influence of France in Europe, by fighting three major wars. These wars are known as the Franco-Dutch War, the War of the League of Augsburg, and the War of the Spanish Succession. Under Louis XIV, France achieved political and military pre-eminence, and also achieved cultural dominance with various cultural figures. He worked to successfully create an absolutist and centralized state.
A Comparison of the Characteristics of the Absolutist Rule of Charles I of England and Louis XIV of France
One example of how absolutism is portrayed through the arts is painting. Hyacinthe Rigaud painted portraits of King Louis XIV that symbolized the French monarchy and Louis XIV’s rule as an absolute monarch. The aristocratic portraiture’s main concern is the appearance of the painting itself and enhancing the theme of regality. It served as an allegory for royal authority, and with Rigaud’s paintings of the King, his main intent was to glorify the monarchy. In Rigaud’s paintings, King Louis XIV demonstrates the embodiment of an aristocrat: the ideal, civilized, and elegant man. Through the well-mannered way he poses, and the serious expression on his face, it demonstrates
Of all the absolute rulers in Europe, by far the best example of one, and the most powerful, was Louis XIV of France. Although Louis had some failures, he also had many successes. He controlled France’s money and had many different ways to get, as well as keep his power, and he knew how to delegate jobs to smart, but loyal people.
One of the most important elements of Versailles that affected Louis XIV’s reign was the use of propaganda. The Palace contained “paintings, statues, tapestries” (Page) and a general grandness that significantly promoted Louis’ name. Louis himself was a “prominent subject in the artwork” (Montclos 330) and was portrayed as handsome and god-like. Even in the aspects of the Palace where Louis wasn’t literally being represented, the grand nature of Versailles sent out a message that the King was living lavishly, and was therefore very powerful. Louis XIV used the grandiosity of his Palace and the art inside to promote himself to his people.
During the late sixteenth century a new style of art, known as Mannerist, emerged through out Italy as a result of the Protestant Reformation. Mannerist distorted art was justified because it served mid way between the ideal, natural, symmetrical and the real, artificial, and unbalanced. The religious and political upheaval lead to the distinct Mannerist style know for being stylish, cultured, and elegant. Mannerist art is thought provoking, asking the viewer to ponder and respond to the spatial challenges and meaning found in the painting, sculpture, and architectural work. Mannerist painting and sculpture are characterized by complicated compositions, distorted figure styles, and complex allegorical interpretations. Meanwhile Mannerist architecture often employs classical elements in a new and unusual way that defies traditional formulas.
Louis XIV was one of four leaders, (along with Charles V, Napoleon, and Adolf Hitler) who had an opportunity to establish their hegemony over much of Europe in the time period after 1500. Although Louis XIV failed in his attempt to dominate Europe politically, it was during this time span that Europe was very strongly influenced by French culture and civilization.
When Louis the XIV began his rule in 1643, his actions immediately began to suggest and absolute dictatorship. Because of the misery he had previously suffered, one of the first things he did was to decrease the power of the nobility. He withdrew himself from the rich upper class, doing everything secretly. The wealth had no connection to Louis, and therefore all power they previously had was gone. He had complete control over the nobles, spying, going through mail, and a secret police force made sure that Louis had absolute power. Louis appointed all of his officials, middle class men who served him without wanting any power. Louis wanted it clear that none of his power would be shared. He wanted "people to know by the rank of the men who served him that he had no intention of sharing power with them." If Louis XIV appointed advisors from the upper classes, they would expect to gain power, and Louis was not willing to give it to them. The way Louis XIV ruled, the sole powerful leader, made him an absolute ruler. He had divine rule, and did not want to give any power to anyone other than himself. These beliefs made him an absolute ruler.
Frightfully stimulated as a child from a home intrusion by Parisians during an aristocratic revolt in 1651, Louis XIV realized his rule would be decisive, militant, and absolute (458). His lengthy reign as Frances’ king and how he ruled would be the example that many countries throughout Europe would model their own regimes under. With this great authority also came greater challenges of finance and colonization. In the 17th century, the era of absolute monarchs was the means to restore European life (458). Louis XIV exemplified absolutism, and his ruling set the example for other monarchs throughout Europe.
By closely analysing the chateaus art and design you gain a different understanding in how the history in this particular era unfolded. The Palace of Versailles became the symbol of the absolution and decadence of the ancient Regime and the French monarch and truly conceived the way Louis XIV “the sun king ” wished to represent power for his court.
The Grand Palais served as one of the main buildings that helped solidify France as the supreme leader in the Arts. Like the Eiffel Tower in 1889, it served as a focus for the Exposition. However, the two structures were very different. The Grand Palais placed much greater emphasis on ornamentation. The famous French writer Paul Morand stated that, "while in 1889 architecture was happily on the threshold of an age of iron and steel, in 1900 it had gone back to styles such as those taught at the Beaux-Arts." The Grand Palais incorporated what is commonly referred to as "Beaux-Arts style", which was characterized by formal planning and rich decoration.