Palace of Versailles: Symbol of the Age of Absolutism - Essay Example

How is the Palace of Versailles a fitting symbol of the Age of Absolutism? Louis XIV of France was growing up in the old Palace d’ Royal. Louis became the ruler of France at the age of 21 years. He wanted a grand palace to be built in Paris but Versailles was not the ideal spot for a palace, as the Versailles was located in swampy marshlands. After the construction when Louis took the authority of palace of Versailles, it became the center of French civilization and country, and also it became the center of Europe. In the end we can say that the people of Louis’s state and Europe began to revolve around him like his symbol of the sun (Tagliaferro 12). The cost of around $1,500,000,000 was made to build and maintain the palace. The results of the hard work that were diligently done by the constructors were fabulous (Daniels 56). Prosperity for the town Louis chose to build the palace on the location of his father’s hunting lodge in Versailles. For the next two decades the town became an enormous construction site. Le Vau added new wings and façades on every side until they completely enveloped the original hunting lodge. Illustrious additions included the Sun King’s magnificent bedroom (the Chambre du Roi), and the famous Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors). The hall of mirrors Construction of the Hall of Mirrors began in 1678. The principal feature of this famous hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens (Singleton 25). The mirrors are very decadent and decorated and they use natural light and candlelight to create awesome space. There is an Audience hall within that highlights Louis XIV’s enormous wealth and power. Ceiling frescoes illustrate Louis’s successes in war. The sign of absolutism Versailles became the home of the French nobility and the location of the royal court thus becoming the center of French government. Symbolically the central room of the long extensive symmetrical range of buildings was the Kings Bedchamber. All the power of France emanated from this center: there were government offices here; as well as the homes of thousands of courtiers, their retinues and all the attendant functionaries of court, thus keeping the lords close at hand and securing the French government in an absolute monarchy. The grounds of Versailles had extensive horticulture, fountains, and canals. He also liked to enjoy sunbathing in his wonderful work of art. All major avenues radiate from and to the palace courtyard. The King’s bedchamber is the actual radiating point, which highlights the king’s centrality. Buildings create an embrace and the gardens reflect the King’s mastery over the natural world. Exterior is classical; linear and geometric that emphasizes order and stability (Ranum 20). Chapel at Versailles It promotes the image of Louis XIV as pious Suggesting his connection to God and his position as God has chosen one. Palace of Versailles and the nobles Louis weakened the power of the nobles by excluding them from his councils. In contrast, he increased the power of the government agents called intendants, which collected taxes and administered justice. Louis required every noble to spend some time at the palace. There he would stage complex rituals to show the aristocracy both his power and his kindness. He assumed the role of "Sun King." philosophers of the seventeenth century argued that the sun, as the source of light, was the proper symbol for god and wisdom. Louis adopted the symbol for God to symbolize his own role as Gods monarchical representative (Daniels 47). To keep power under central control, he made sure that local officials communicated regularly with him. Palace of Versailles and Economic growth Louis devoted himself to helping France attain economic, political, and cultural brilliance. No one assisted him more in achieving these goals than his minister of finance, Jean Colbert. Colbert tried to make France self-sufficient. He wanted it to be able to manufacture everything it needed instead of relying on imports. To expand manufacturing, Colbert gave government funds and tax benefits to French companies. To protect France’s industries, he placed a high tariff on goods from other countries. The French government encouraged people to migrate to France’s colony in Canada. There the fur job added to French commerce. After Colbert’s death, Louis announced a policy that slowed France’s economic progress. Louis conceived his role as absolute monarch in terms of benevolence. His reign, he argued, was all about benefiting the people of France materially, spiritually, and militarily. He saw the political and religious union of France to protect French subjects from the depredation of political strife and religious civil war. The collecting of taxes made this possible and the reinvesting of taxes in road and rail network and industry were seen as means of increasing the general national wealth of the country (Tagliaferro 58). Conclusion Louis XIV of France was growing up in the old Palace d’ Royal. Louis became the ruler of France at the age of 21 years. After the construction when Louis took the authority of palace of Versailles, it became the center of French civilization and country, and also it became the center of Europe. In the end we can say that the people of Louis’s state and Europe began to revolve around him like his symbol of the sun. All the power of France emanated from this center: there were government offices here; as well as the homes of thousands of courtiers, their retinues and all the attendant functionaries of court, thus keeping the lords close at hand and securing the French government in an absolute monarchy. Chapel at Versailles promotes the image of Louis XIV as pious Suggesting his connection to God and his position as God’s chosen one. It demonstrates that Louis’ power is derived from God and that he has been created superior to all men. The palace showed all the elements of power and the absolutism. The king used all the finances that were available to him for the creation of the standards and the highest standards of the absolutism. References Daniels, Peter, Bradshaw, Michael, Sidaway, James and Shaw, Denis. An Introduction to Human Geography: Issues for the 21st Century. Pearson Education, Limited, 2008. Ranum, Orest. Paris In The Age Of Absolutism: An Essay. Penn State Press, 2004. Singleton, Esther. Turrets, Towers, and Temples: The Great Buildings of the World. BiblioBazaar, LLC, 2008. Tagliaferro, Linda. Palace of Versailles: Frances Royal Jewel. Bearport Publishing, 2005. Read More