How did the Palace of Versailles Represent the Ideals of Absolutism?

Introduction

I define Absolutism as total control held over government subjects, local and worldwide procedures, and additional matters. I learned that soon after the passing of Louis XIII, the teenage Louis XIV approached French Parliament and declared complete authority and supremacy for himself. He was coached by Cardinal Mazarin and soon exemplified the principles of Absolutism.

Body

Defining Absolutism and Louis XIV’s Reign

Then I discovered that Louis XIV, a decade or so later, decided to transform a small hunting lodge in the small city of Versailles into one of the most marvelous palaces in the history of the world.

It blew me away to find out that Louis XIV spent about two billion dollars on a new palace, even though the Saint-Germain Palace already existed. I think that the building of Versailles was for glory and was also a strategic governmental move. The magnitude and splendor of the Palace conveyed a statement to the people of France and to other leaders that he had total power and that no one should challenge him. In absolutism, a person must primarily endorse oneself as being dominant and respected, then has to acquire authority over everyone who could possibly obstruct complete supremacy.

I strongly believe The Palace of Versailles aided King Louis XIV in fulfilling both of those goals. In 1682 the Palace of Versailles became the new permanent home of the royal court, the essential symbol of Louis XIV’s power and influence in Europe. Due to the fact that Louis XIV feared a rebellion encouraged by nobles might shake France as it once did during his childhood, he decided to keep a close watch on the mischief-makers. At that time, nobles resided in various locations, and Louis wanted to ensure that they were all located together in one place so that it would be simple for him to oversee them. Louis XIV mandated the nobles to relocate to the Palace, seldom permitting them to visit their previous hometowns. He had espionage agents all over the place and closely monitored the nobles’ actions. I learned how under the ruler’s vigilant observance, the nobility could not conspire against his command; the noble lords were kept in their place in the army or at court, ready and willing to accommodate and please the King.

Dominance Embodied: The Power Play of the Palace

I believe one of the most significant fundamentals of Versailles that impacted Louis XIV’s rule was the practice of propaganda. The Palace of Versailles maintained Absolutism during King Louis XIV’s rule through propaganda and dominance over nobility. Propaganda used by Versailles endorsed Louis with its grandness and substantial portrayals that all projected a statement of power. I found that an important use of promotion in Versailles was the representation of Louis XIV in paintings. I read how frequently the artworks in Versailles showed Louis as attractive and divine; he was even portrayed as a god themselves. Even in the parts of the Palace where Louis wasn’t plainly being exemplified; the majestic essence of Versailles conveyed a statement that the King’s life was extravagant and was, therefore, extremely dominant.

Propaganda and the Glorification of Power

I understand how Louis XIV utilized the lavishness of his Palace and the internal artistic decor to endorse himself to his kingdom. Furthermore, some of the art in Versailles was exhibited as a chronicle and provided an elaborate description of the King’s journeys. The ceilings had paintings that gave an account of the life and accomplishments of the King. The core elements of all paintings were triumph, grandeur, prominence, and harmony.

One of the most interesting facts that I discovered was how at the beginning of his rule, before considering more bureaucratic metaphors, Louis XIV selected the sun as his own insignia. The Palace of Versailles is full of symbols and metaphorical references to the sun god incorporated with royal portrayals and insignia. I strongly feel that the ornamentation of the Palace glamorized Louis XIV as the Sun King. 

Conclusion

Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles is definitely a corporeal and social exhibition of the ideologies of Absolutism. I am confident Louis XIV’s Palace exemplified the quintessence of Absolutism through its emblems of supremacy, its absolute magnitude and extravagance, and the lodging of the nobles on palace land. Clearly, the Palace of Versailles is distinguished as one of the most impressive declarations of European Absolutism. Louis XIV’s Palace experienced a conversion from being a small-scale hunting lodge to a lavish palace. A transformation of this magnitude had likely never been seen in the past. I am certain the Palace of Versailles will always continue to be a demonstration of the ideologies of Absolutism that controlled the 17th century.

References

1. “Versailles: A Biography of a Palace” by Tony Spawforth.

2. “The Sun King: Louis XIV at Versailles” by Nancy Mitford Focusing 

3. “The Palace of Versailles: From a Royal Hunting Lodge to a Universal Symbol” by Gérard Sabatier 

4. “Versailles: The History of the World’s Most Famous Palace” by Tony Spawforth

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