Versailles: The Mastery of Nature and State Control

Summary

Versailles was built to showcase the subordination of mankind to the King of France and to exemplify the royal project for the mastery of nature. It was a secular enterprise that celebrated the end of civil strife in France and ensured that it would not recur. Versailles elevated the position of the king from “primus inter pares” to being both “solus” (sole) and “solaris” (solar). The court allowed sovereign and courtiers to renegotiate their relationship in a spirit of cooperation, and the cultural exclusiveness of Versailles established French culture as the dominant force in Europe during Louis XIV’s reign.

Table of Contents

• The Purpose of Versailles
• The Gardeners, led by Andre Le Notre
• Life at Versailles
• The Artists Involved in Versailles
• The Cultural Exclusiveness of Versailles
• France’s Influence on European Architecture and Culture

Q&A

The Purpose of Versailles

• Why was Versailles built? Versailles was built to showcase the subordination of mankind to the King of France and exemplify the royal project for the mastery of nature. It was a secular enterprise that celebrated the end of civil strife in France and ensured that it would not recur.
• What was the purpose of the King’s bedroom being at the center of the marble court? The King’s bedroom at the center of the marble court was meant to serve as the pinnacle of the royal project for the mastery of nature. It was also a symbol of the king’s elevated position as both “solus” (sole) and “solaris” (solar), giving him direct access to the Sun.

The Gardeners, led by Andre Le Notre

• Who led the gardeners that transformed the wilderness surrounding Versailles? The gardeners were led by Andre Le Notre. He transformed the surrounding wilderness into rectilinear order, exemplifying the royal project for the mastery of nature.
• What was the significance of the transformation of the wilderness surrounding Versailles? The transformation of the wilderness surrounding Versailles was significant because it exemplified the royal project for the mastery of nature. It also showcased the subordination of mankind to the King of France by bringing order to the chaos of nature.

Life at Versailles

• Was life at Versailles like living in a gilded cage? Life at Versailles was gilded, but it was not a gilded cage. The court allowed sovereign and courtiers to renegotiate their relationship in a spirit of cooperation, with both parties making as many sacrifices as the other.
• Who were allowed to visit Versailles as part of their Grand Tour? Virtually all royal, aristocratic, and princely patrons included a visit to Versailles as part of their Grand Tour.

The Artists Involved in Versailles

• Who were the artists involved in Versailles? Virtually all the artists involved in Versailles were French, with the exception of music supremo Jean-Baptiste Lully, a Florentine by birth who had gallicized his name and formalized his naturalization by marrying the daughter of another senior member of the French musical establishment.
• What was the role of the Academies in relation to high culture? Through the development of a series of royal institutions such as the Academies of Paining, Sculpture, Dance, Science, Music, and Architecture, France was able to effectively subject every branch of high culture to state control.

The Cultural Exclusiveness of Versailles

• How did the cultural exclusiveness of Versailles impact European culture? The cultural exclusiveness of Versailles established French culture as the dominant force in Europe during Louis XIV’s reign. The French language itself became the universal language of scholars, politicians, women, and courtiers, replacing Latin as the common language in European treaties.
• Did France’s influence on European architecture extend beyond the creation of vast palaces like Versailles? French influence in architecture was centered around the impetus to create vast palaces, like Versailles, rather than a specific style that was emulated. While French architects did occupy important positions throughout Europe, many prominent buildings were designed by Italian architects or those trained in the Italian style.

France’s Influence on European Architecture and Culture

• What was the extent of France’s influence on European architecture and culture during the 18th century? The French influence in European architecture and culture during the 18th century has been widely celebrated, but the actual influence may not be accurately reflected in the buildings constructed outside of France during the period.