King Louis the XIVth’s legs
J&L SCRUTINY
This week our new "Scrutiny column" takes us to Versailles with the certainly most famous portrait of the Sun King. Louis the XIVth is presented full-length and wears his coronation clothes. At the aged of 63 years old, he poses to grant the request of his grandson Philippe the Vth, new King of Spain. Indeed, at the moment of his death, King Charles the IInd of Spain doesn’t want to divide his states and offers to his sister’s, Louis the XIVth’s wife and Queen of France, second grandson to be the heir.
Hyacinthe Rigaud, King Louis the XIVth in coronation dress, 1701
Young Philippe the Vth becomes King of Spain in 1700 after leaving his family in the Palace of Versailles. He asks then a souvenir-portrait of his illustrious grand-father to the best portraitist of his generation, Hyacinthe Rigaud. He executes it so well with so much talent and resemblance that during the presentation, King Louis the XIVth asks a copy to keep the original in Versailles. (Copy they will actually keep in Versailles as well…)
Anonymous drawing, Royal Ballet of the Night, Louis XIVth dressed up in Apollo
Louis the XIVth particularly loves it because he likes the resemblance and also because the artist has respected all his wishes. The king is not one of those who want to be embellished like with a modern “Photoshop” but he has only one demand, to be painted with legs from his young age. This detail has its importance! Indeed, our dear Sun King is King of ballet as well. He founds in 1661, at the very beginning of his reign, the Royal Academy of Dance where Pierre Beauchamp is the director, and the famous five positions’ creator. This institution is in charge of fixing rules and teaching the art of dancing. In 1669, Louis creates the Opera Academy with the creation of the very first professional company in Europe.
Film poster, The King is dancing (le Roi Danse), 2000
Louis the XIVth was in love with ballet more than hunting and he knew how to turn it into a power instrument such as the rest, but most of all to impose an art still use nowadays according to the XVIIth century rules. This portrait painted by Rigaud and this young and muscled legs detail show us the importance to the king of this art and his proudness to have danced like anybody else.
So, lets the king dance!
Jessica
Key Information
Louis the XIVth
Dates : 1638-1715
Reign: He became King in 1643 at only 5 years old
Faits marquants : He had the longest reign ever in the History, 72 years.
Louis the XIVth is mostly known for his castle, Versailles. Actually, he enlarged his father's, Louis the XIIIth, hunting lodge to make itthe palace of his dreams to welcome the whole Court. Versailles thanks to his magnificence is still the most famous palace in the world.
