During today’s class, we shifted our focus to baroque art in France. We learned how there was an absolute monarchy existing within France, under King Louis XIV. The king owns his power from God and proclaims himself second in command after God. We learned about the architecture of the massive and spectacular Palace of Versailles. Louis XIV moved the palace from Paris to the suburbs as a result of multiple civil wars in France, and increasing pressure from the nobility of the country. After the nobles and peasants are defeated, Louis XIV abolishes the feudal pyramid that was in place, establishing absolute power. All nobles now have to come to Versailles at some point so that Louis XIV can keep an eye on them. The Palace of Versailles is expanded tremendously under him as well, connecting this to his ideology of power. The sheer size of the palace is representative of baroque art, and is a way to display the king’s power and might across France. The “French Gardens” are gigantic as well, and are displayed right in front of the palace. The sections are designed like garden rooms, but are very controlled. There is a large canal, with all kinds of fountains throughout the garden as well.
Within the Palace of Versailles, is the “Hall of Mirrors,” which was constructed by Jules Hardouin Mansart in 1678. The hallway is filled with tons of gold in between the mirrors and the areas are covered in mirrors that were imported from Venice, which means they are extremely expensive, further emphasizing the king’s power and wealth. There are seventeen windows, each directly opposite from mirrors, so that light is reflected. There are a total of four hundred mirrors, making the light seem infinite. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this magnificent palace as well as its surroundings that helped emphasize absolutism under King Louis XIV.