Final answer:
The policies of Henry IV and Cardinal Richelieu reinforced the centralized power and authority of the French monarchy, paving the way for the absolute rule of Louis XIV, who expanded the economy through mercantilism and patronized the arts to bolster his authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rule of Henry IV and Cardinal Richelieu laid the groundwork for the centralized absolute monarchy during the reign of Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. Henry IV's Edict of Nantes brought stability to France by granting religious toleration to the Huguenots. Cardinal Richelieu, as the chief minister of Louis XIII, continued to consolidate royal power by weakening the nobility and sidelining the Estates General, thereby increasing the King's absolute authority. This set the stage for Louis XIV, who further centralized the government and developed a strong economic policy under Jean-Baptiste Colbert with mercantilist strategies such as promoting French manufacturing, increasing tariffs, and supporting royal monopolies. The arts flourished under Louis XIV, with the establishment of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts to control artistic matters, aligning art with royal propaganda.