Portrait of Louis XIV (1638-1715), King of France and Navarra (‘Sun King’) before 1749

Martin Desjardins crafted this bronze bust of Louis XIV, the ‘Sun King’, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. The image, like so many others of the French monarch, propagates the notion of his absolute authority. Louis's rule exemplifies the consolidation of power that characterized Europe at this time. He centralised the state, exerted control over the nobility, and used propaganda to fashion an image of royal power. Note the armor, draped fabric, and elaborate wig. These are visual codes referring to the military strength, wealth, and sophistication of the French court under Louis XIV. The nickname 'Sun King' wasn't accidental. Everything in France was supposed to revolve around Louis, just as the planets revolve around the sun. Desjardins' sculpture is, then, not just a portrait, but a symbol of political ideology. To fully appreciate this sculpture, we need to delve into the archives, studying the history of the French monarchy, the political theory of absolutism, and the visual culture of the court. Art offers us a window into the past, but it's the historian who helps us interpret what we see.