The Sun King at Sea - Maritime Art and Galley Slavery in Louis XIV's France

The politics and propaganda of France's King Louis XIV were heavily influenced by Mediterranean maritime art and the forced labor on which it depended. Meredith Martin and Gillian Weiss's book, "The Sun King at Sea," reveals a vital aspect of royal representation and challenges the notion that human bondage vanished from continental France during Louis XIV's reign.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2022
Publisher: Getty Trust Publications

The rich and intricate world of Mediterranean maritime art was closely intertwined with the forced labor that fueled it. This art form played a crucial role in the politics and propaganda of France's King Louis XIV, who ruled from 1643 to 1715. However, most studies of French art during this period tend to overlook the presence or portrayal of galley slaves on the kingdom's coasts. In a groundbreaking exploration, Meredith Martin and Gillian Weiss delve into a wide range of artistic productions, including ship design, artillery sculpture, medals, paintings, and prints, to uncover a vital aspect of royal representation. Their research challenges the conventional notion that art and power in early modern France were solely centered in Paris and Versailles, revealing the significant role played by galley slaves on the kingdom's shores.

The Sun King at Sea, a captivating volume, showcases a wealth of previously unpublished images that vividly illustrate the role of esclaves turcs in the construction and decoration of ships and other art objects. These enslaved Turks, often captured or purchased from Islamic lands, played a significant role in the maritime trade and the spread of French culture. The book challenges the notion that human bondage disappeared from continental France during Louis XIV's reign and invites a reassessment of servitude as a visible condition, mode of representation, and symbol of sovereignty.

Through their meticulous research, Martin and Weiss shed light on the complex relationships between art, power, and slavery in early modern France. They explore how galley slaves were depicted in artistic productions, the symbolism behind their presence, and the ways in which they contributed to the glorification of the Crown. The book also examines the broader social and economic implications of forced labor and the role that galley slaves played in shaping the maritime landscape of the Mediterranean.

The Sun King at Sea is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of art history, offering a fresh perspective on the politics and propaganda of Louis XIV's reign. It challenges the traditional narratives and highlights the importance of examining the lesser-known aspects of history. The book's stunning images and comprehensive analysis make it accessible to a wide audience, including scholars, students, and anyone interested in the rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean.

In conclusion, Mediterranean maritime art and the forced labor that supported it played a vital role in the politics and propaganda of France's King Louis XIV. By examining a wide range of artistic productions and challenging the notion of art and power in early modern France, Meredith Martin and Gillian Weiss have uncovered a significant aspect of royal representation and unsettled the standard picture of art and power in this period. The Sun King at Sea emphasizes the role of esclaves turcs in building and decorating ships and other art objects that circulated on land and by sea to glorify the Crown. This cross-disciplinary volume invites a reassessment of servitude as a visible condition, mode of representation, and symbol of sovereignty during Louis XIV's reign.

Weight: 1274g
Dimension: 199 x 274 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781606067307