Final answer:
Louis XIV, the Sun King, was different from his father in that he centralized government around himself and ruled with absolute power by divine right. He used art and architecture as tools of the monarchy, built Versailles to control the nobility, had a hands-on approach to state affairs, and significantly impacted the cultural landscape of France.
Step-by-step explanation:
Louis XIV, known as the "Sun King," was markedly different from his father, Louis XIII, in his approach to governance and his use of art as a tool for state control. Unlike his father, Louis XIV centralized the government entirely around his person, forgoing the use of advisory bodies such as the Estates General, thus ruling with absolute power. He claimed that this power was divinely granted, a concept known as divine right. Furthermore, Louis XIV firmly believed in the role of art in service of the monarchy. He established the Royal Academy of Fine Arts to manage artistic production and education, aiming to impose a standardized, classicizing style on art and artists to reflect the glory of his reign.
In addition to his cultural projects, Louis XIV demonstrated his immense power and influence through architectural feats, with the construction of the palace of Versailles being the most notable. This luxurious palace not only served as a royal residence but also as a means to control the nobility by requiring them to live at the Court. By doing so, Louis XIV could monitor and manage their influence, preventing potential revolts. The Sun King's management of state affairs did not end with palatial extravagance; he meticulously oversaw military strategies, infrastructure, legal codes, and was hands-on with the daily activities of the monarchy, thus setting a precedent for personal authority and centralized power unprecedented in European history.
King Louis XIV's reign also had a considerable impact on the cultural landscape of France, particularly in the patronage of the theatre, including the innovation of including women onstage, a departure from earlier practices. His cultural legacy outlasted his reign as it set the stage for the development of the Rococo style that succeeded the classicism that characterized his era.