1-156-522 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Louis XIV King of France, 1648. Equestrian portrait of Louis (1638-1715) as a boy. Although Louis inherited the crown in 1643, he 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, as well as a growth of French economic and military power.