Ludwig Xiv

Ludwig XIV', (1933). Portrait of King Louis XIV of France (1638-1715). Louis inherited the French crown in 1643 but did not actually take the reigns of power until the death of his Chief Minister, Cardinal Mazarin, in 1661. Known as the 'Sun King', Louis was the epitome of the absolute monarch. He was on the throne for 72 years, longer than any other major European ruler. His reign saw a flowering of the arts and architecture in France, including the building of the magnificent Palace of Versailles, as well as a growth of French economic and military power. From "Gestalten Der Weltgeschichte", a book of cigarette-card portrait miniatures of figures in world history from the last four hundred years. [Germany, 1933]Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)