Sun King exhibition opens at Versailles
Two years in the making, Louis XIV, the Man and the King brings together 300 pieces, some of which have not been shown in France since the 1789 Revolution.
It explores the paintings, sculptures, furniture and jewellery that helped France's most famous king shape his all-powerful image.
A 17th-century painting of the construction of Versailles is on loan from the Queen and a large black cabinet – the only survivor of the king's collection and now owned by the Duke of Northumberland – is back in France after more than two centuries.
"Politically, Louis XIV belongs to a system that is outdated," said Jean-Jacques Aillagon, the director of Versailles who came up with the idea of presenting a "cultural portrait" of the king in 2007.
"But it is through the arts and culture that he still belongs to all of us."
Born in 1638, Louis ascended to the throne at the age of four and reigned until his death in 1715, at the advanced age of 76. He fought three major wars and married twice while France stood as the leading European power.
During his twenties, Louis decided to turn his father's hunting lodge at Versailles into his base, moving his court, government and military command there from Paris...
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
It explores the paintings, sculptures, furniture and jewellery that helped France's most famous king shape his all-powerful image.
A 17th-century painting of the construction of Versailles is on loan from the Queen and a large black cabinet – the only survivor of the king's collection and now owned by the Duke of Northumberland – is back in France after more than two centuries.
"Politically, Louis XIV belongs to a system that is outdated," said Jean-Jacques Aillagon, the director of Versailles who came up with the idea of presenting a "cultural portrait" of the king in 2007.
"But it is through the arts and culture that he still belongs to all of us."
Born in 1638, Louis ascended to the throne at the age of four and reigned until his death in 1715, at the advanced age of 76. He fought three major wars and married twice while France stood as the leading European power.
During his twenties, Louis decided to turn his father's hunting lodge at Versailles into his base, moving his court, government and military command there from Paris...