Louis XIV. Enhancement of royal authority by the use of court ritual and visual arts

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The essay explores Louis XIV's reign, highlighting his efforts to consolidate royal authority through cultural control at Versailles. It emphasizes his belief in the monarch's visibility and accessibility to subjects, contrasting it with the instability of France in 1610. The introduction of Richelieu in 1624 marked a shift towards a cohesive representation strategy. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced during Louis XIII's reign, where limited use of visual arts and court rituals reflected his need to secure power before shaping his public image.