Triumph and disaster: Eight exhibits from the British Museum's show on Louis XIV as a Sun King
This article originally appeared on Culture24.
Louis XIV was intent on being known as a Sun King whose rays would warm and illuminate the world. In the tercentenary year of his death, here are eight exhibits from a new British Museum exhibition
Nec Pluribus Impar
© The Trustees of the British MuseumLouis XIV as the sun warming the earth and the inscription means ‘not unequal to many’ which was his motto.
Hard Work
© The Trustees of the British MuseumLouis is represented as Apollo, driving the chariot of the sun which brings light to every part of the earth.
The London Manuscript
© The British Library BoardA scrapbook bringing together ideas for medals in the form of sketches, descriptions and finished drawings by Sébastien Le Clerc. This is an important loan object from the British Library.
Battle of Turin
© The Trustees of the British MuseumThe Duke of Savoy is shown as Jupiter, in the form of an eagle, striking down Phaethon with a thunderbolt.
Siamese Ambassadors
© The Trustees of the British MuseumThe ambassadors of King Phra Narai of Siam [Thailand] were received by Louis in the Galérie des Glaces at Versailles on 1 September, 1686. After the visit, one of the ambassadors said that after the three grandeurs of the world, he now knew a fourth – Versailles.
The Humiliation of Louis XIV
© The Trustees of the British MuseumAn exploding bomb, decorated with the fleurs de lys and inscription IMP GALLIC, which is symbolic of France blowing itself up.
Medallic History of Louis XIV
© The Trustees of the British MuseumFather Time lies defeated by the medallic history of Louis XIV which will last forever.
Colossus of Rhodes
© The Trustees of the British MuseumLouis is shown as the Colossus of Rhodes crumbling under its own weight. The medal celebrates the capture of Hainault from the French in 1709 and is representative of the widespread feeling that Louis’ pre-eminence was coming to an end.
- Triumph and Disaster: Medals of the Sun King is in Room 69a of the British Museum from June 4 – November 15 2015.
What do you think? Leave a comment below.
More from Culture24's Royal History section:
A Magna Carta for the common(s) people: Cornelia Parker's Wikipedia Embroidery unveiled at British Library
Scotland's first statue of Mary, Queen of Scots, unveiled outside Linlithgow Palace
Monster, villain and clown: Richard III tried to hide scoliosis before cruel depictions were made, new research says
