Name adopted by
Louis XIV to refer to his frequent
allegorical representation of
Apollo. While Louis XIV can also be found represented in
paintings and
sculpture as
Jupiter,
Hercules and
Neptune - it is the idea of The Sun King as
vibrant,
powerful,
all seeing and (most importantly)
all seen that was adopted as his prefered
image.
Because of the particular importance Louis XIV placed upon image, this is not an insignificant element of his reign. Allegory had played an important role in visual and performace art throughout the early modern period, but prior to Louis' reign few kings had considered it as significant to their rule. The image of the king as dazzling (with the inherent connotation of overpowering brillance) became the accepted convention. This in concert with an increased, though not always overt, encouragement of competition amoung the nobility allowed Louis to entrap his rivals within a web of superficial concerns, taking attention away from his absolute rule.