Images Dated 2009 May

Sun King theatre costume, and King Louis XIV of France, 1882-1884. Artist: Unknown

Sun King theatre costume, and King Louis XIV of France, 1882-1884. Although Louis (1638-1715) inherited the French 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, including the building of the magnificent Palace of Versailles, as well as a growth of French economic and military power. A print from La France et les Francais a Travers les Siecles, Volume IV, F Roy editor, A Challamel, Saint-Antoine, 1882-1884

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Madame Tallien, late 18th century (1882-1884).Artist: Charaire et fils

Madame Tallien, late 18th century (1882-1884). Theresa Cabarrus (1773-1835) became the mistress of, and later married, Jean Lambert Tallien a deputy of the National Convention and later a member of the Committee for Public Safety, who saved her from the guillotine. The couple separated however, and were divorced in 1802. Theresa went on to become one of the most prominent social figures in France and was one of the originators of the Neo-Grec fashion of the Directory period. She had a brief relationship with Napoleon before becoming the mistress of fist Paul Barras, then the millionaire speculator Gabriel-Julien Ouvrard. In 1805 she married the Prince of Chimay. A print from La France et les Francais a Travers les Siecles, Volume IV, F Roy editor, A Challamel, Saint-Antoine, 1882-1884

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images

King Clovis I and Queen Clotilde of the Franks, late 5th - early 6th century (1882-1884).Artist: Frederic Lix

King Clovis I and Queen Clotilde of the Franks, late 5th - early 6th century (1882-1884). Clovis I (c466-511) converted to Christianity and was baptized at Rheims in 496 AD. His wife, the Burgundian princess Clotilde, is thought to have been responsible for persuading him to embrace Christianity. Clovis was the first Christian King of the Franks and the first to unite the Frankish tribes into one kingdom. A print from La France et les Francais a Travers les Siecles, Volume I, F Roy editor, Saint-Antoine, 1882-1884

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images