ABSTRACT

Louis XIV was certainly a remarkable enabler of intellectual and artistic achievement. Colbert cooperated with the king in recruiting gifted writers, artists and musicians, and encouraged them to give of their best. This chapter explores Louis XIV's outstanding contribution to the cultural achievement of his reign. Louis is sometimes represented as second-rate in his appreciation of the arts and the products of the mind. Admittedly he never read anything except state papers. But he was one of the greatest cultural all-rounders in history. He was a competent and knowledgeable musician, playing the lute and singing in tune. If the ears of Louis XIV's public were perpetually bashed, their eyes were dazzled by the Sun King's media specialists. French literature blossomed, much of it, though by no means all, thanks to Louis's patronage. Art, architecture, music, literature, sculpture, medals, statues–all were regimented to the glory of the Sun King.