A Short Discourse on 18th Century Palace Architecture, Part I

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Hong Kong Empire
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Introduction

August 17th. 1661.

The greatest fête of it's time was underway. Nicholas Fouquet had recently completed the grandest palace in all of France, the Chateau of Vaux-Le-Vicomte. The greatest architects in the world had been hired to design it; Le Vau for the Chateau, Le Brun, painting and sculpture, Le Notre, the gardens. The dinner was prepared by Vatel, and a play had been commissioned from the playwright Moliere. It was a fête fit for a king. After all, Fouquet's motto was Quo non ascendet; To what heights will I not ascend?

Apparently no further. King Louis XIV had been the guest of honor at the party, a party which was meant, in his view, to honor him. As each spectacular marvel was presented, Louis sank deeper into rage at the man who had dared to outshine the sun. At the dinner, Fouquet only reached greater heights of folly when Louis commented on the plates that were used to serve the dinner, and he foolishly replied "Pardon, Sire. It is not of plate, it is gold." If it had not been for his mother advising him not to spoil a wonderful party, he would have ordered Fouquet to be arrested on the spot.

Three weeks later, Fouquet was imprisoned, tried for embezzlement of government funds, and incarcerated for the remaining 19 years of his life.

Louis then hired Fouquet's design team to refurbish the small hunting lodge of his father, which was situated in a small remote town called

Versailles.

Part 1. The Palace of the Sun
 
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