One of the main reasons this portrait was chosen instead of his others is because of its popularity. Not only …show more content…
The sun king’s 1701 portrait depicts his influence in the clothes and accessories he bears. His long, dark curly wig is mimicked off of his hairstyle in his youth and becomes so popular it kick-starts the wig industry in France. This boosts the money royalty has in possession because this new industry was easily taxable. Similarly, the sheath of the sword is decorated in jewels, a trait the king also popularized, as well as mandating that all subjects within his palace have a sword, indicating he knew his influence and practiced his power over the fashion of the country. Lastly, the sun king’s shoes and stocking represent how he changed the fashion into what he wanted it to be. He popularized the red heeled shoes in his portrait as well as wearing stockings with shoes. Louis XIV is an influential individual that came to power in the second half of 17th century and changed the face of fashion, as can be seen in his 1701