France and the Construction of an Absolute Monarchy

Henry IV and Marie de Medici

Acts of Marie de Medici - Undid much of the good done by Henry Appointed Concini as first minister of France Arranged an unpopular marriage b/w her son Louis XIV and Anne of Austria Estates General has to be called (1614) Names Jean Armand du Plessis de Richelieu as First Minister

Cardinal Richilieu Armand Jean du Plessis “raison d’etat” worked well with Huguenots curbed the power of the nobility Intendent system moderately successful economic program Willing to concede religious law for political improvement - Foreign policy: break power of the Habsburgs

Louis XIII and Anne of Austria

Louis XIV- The Sun King 1643-1715 reign Longest reign of any European monarch, began at age 5 Parents were childless for 23 years. Leads to him being seen as a miracle or a gift. Epitome of Absolutism- imitated by other European monarchs

L’ etat c’est moi! Un Roi, Une Loi, Une Foi By Hyacinthe Rigaud

Louis moved the court to his palace at Versailles to escape Parisian mobs and memories of the Fronde Versailles became the visible symbol of Louis’ absolutism Domestication of the Aristocracy- Nobles came to see service to the king as best route to power Nobles of the Sword v. Nobles of the Robe Both king and nobles benefited- king gained services of influential administrators and nobles gained privileges and rewards.

Rescinded the Edict of Nantes with the Edict of Fountainebleau We have determined that we can do nothing better, in order wholly to obliterate the memory of the troubles, the confusion, and the evils which the progress of this false religion has caused in this kingdom, and which furnished occasion for the said edict and for so many previous and subsequent edicts and declarations, than entirely to revoke the said Edict of Nantes, with the special articles granted as a sequel to it, as well as all that has since been done in favor of the said religion. Edict of Fountainebleau- Louis XIV 1685

Louis XIV patronized artists and writers All art was required to follow rules of acceptability The purpose of art was to exalt the king and therefore was required to exhibit dignity and gravity Playwrights- Racine and Moliere Opera and Ballet- Lully

Jean-Baptiste Colbert Louis’ chief advisor Financial wizard Mercantilist Louis followed his advice until 1680s Followed advice of marquis of Louvois Gained land on northeast border from the HRE

1701-1714 William III and Leopold I formed Grand Alliance against Louis’ attempt to unite French and Spanish thrones Ended by Treaty of Utrecht- Philip becomes king of Spain but removed from French succession, balance of power maintained, England gains land in North America

Louis XIV’s Carriage

The Bourbon Family Crest

L’ ouis XIV as Apollo

L’ ouis XIV as Apollo by Jean Nocret, 1670

The Sun Symbol

Louis XIV Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1665

Marie Theresa & the Dauphin

Versailles: Home of the "Sun King"

Versailles Statistics 2,000 acres of grounds 12 miles of roads 27 miles of trellises 200,000 trees 210,000 flowers planted every year 80 miles of rows of trees 55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal 12 miles of enclosing walls 50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles 21 miles of water conduits 3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed 26 acres of roof 51,210 square meters of floors 2,153 windows 700 rooms 67 staircases 6,000 paintings 1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings 2,100 sculptures 5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art 150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden

Louis XIII’s Old Chateau

Versailles Today

Palais de Versailles

Palais de Versailles

Versailles Palace, Park Side

Garden View of Versailles

Chateau de Versailles

Chateau de Versailles

André Le Nôtre, Royal Gardener

Versailles’ Northern Gardens

Gardens at Versailles

Chateau de Versailles Gardens

The Orangery

Grounds at Versailles

The Lightening of the Belvedere by Claude Chatelet, 1781

Fountains, Fountains, and More Fountains!

And More Fountains!

And More Fountains!

And Even More Fountains!!!

Temple of Love

Hall of Mirrors

The King’s Bed The Queen’s Bed

Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV’s Chapel Altarpiece

Organ in Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV’s Opera Stage

Cabinet with Views of Versailles, 19c

Louis XIV Furniture

The Gallery of Battles

Louis XV [r. 1715 – 1774]

The “Hunts” of Louis XV

Madame de Pompadour

Madame de Pompadour’s Bedroom

Petite Trianon, Madame de Pompadour’s Chateau

Marie Antoinette & Her Children

Marie Antoinette’s Boudoir

Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant” House

Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant’s Hut”

Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant’s Hut”