Absolutism of Louis XIV: Background: Louis XIII ( ) Administrative reform, centralized control over regions Intendents— Fought Habsburg Dynasty, made France a great power Opposed Hugenots, removed their right to fortified towns Louis XIV (Ruled )
Four Characteristics of Royal Authority Royal authority is sacred It is Paternal It is absolute It is subject to reason
Cardinal Mazarin Effective ruler with Louis’ mother Ruled while Louis was young Powerful and Strong—created the environment in France that would become absolute monarchy
The Fronde Noble uprising Goal—more representation Showed the need to control nobles Very meaningful to Louis
L’etat c’est moi! “Sun King”
Government: Modern, councils, intendants, standing army… Seen as first modern government bureaucracy
Absolutism as theatre— Versailles illes.fr/en/111-M.asp illes.fr/en/111-M.asp
Influence of Louis’ Government and Style
Louis XIV’s style and methods were copied by other monarchs in Europe The Palace of Versailles was copied Schonnbrun palace in Austria Hohenzollern and Hapsburg emperors
Fiscal policy Mercantilism—name given to his policy Jean Baptiste Colbert, finance minister from Believed that until France…. Put fiscal house in order, it would not achieve greatness; needed overseas colonies, more taxes, better economy
Economic development: Five Great Farms Reduced internal French tariffs Improved standards for French products Army needed uniforms…weavers, sword makers…
Taxes and tax collectors 36 Generalites Intendants appointed to each Responsible for tax collecting Eyes and ears of Louis Upper bourgeoisie Essential part of bureaucratic hierarchy
Taxes Taille—land tax, nobles exempt Capitation tax—direct tax/head tax on each person Indirect taxes on salt, wine, tobacco
Louis and Religion 1685—Revocation of Edict of Nantes Jesuits, Quietists, Jansenists all claimed to be true faith
Louis believed in… “One king, one law, one faith”
Young Louis XIV
Louis XIV
L’ etat c’est moi! By Hyacinthe Rigaud By Hyacinthe Rigaud
Absolutism as theatre—Versailles ailles.fr/en/111-M.asp ailles.fr/en/111-M.asp
Influence of Louis’ Government and Style
Louis XIV’s Carriage
The Bourbon Family Crest
Louis XIV as Apollo
by Jean Nocret, 1670
The Sun Symbol
Louis XIV Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1665
Marie Theresa & the Dauphin
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Versailles Statistics e 2,000 acres of grounds e 12 miles of roads e 27 miles of trellises e 200,000 trees e 210,000 flowers planted every year e 80 miles of rows of trees e 55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal e 12 miles of enclosing walls e 50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles e 21 miles of water conduits e 3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed e 26 acres of roof e 51,210 square meters of floors e 2,153 windows e 700 rooms e 67 staircases e 6,000 paintings e 1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings e 2,100 sculptures e 5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art e 150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden
Louis XIII’s Old Chateau
Versailles Today
Palais de Versailles
Versailles Palace, Park Side
Garden View of 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 Even More Fountains!!!
Temple of Love
Hall of Mirrors
The Queen’s Bed The King’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
Remember Escorial?? –Granite, shape of grill, monastery, several churches, cript…Phillip II, Catholics…
Louis XV [r – 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”