Louis Xiv, King of France, Crosses the Rhine at Lobith on 12 June 1672 1680

Curator: The artwork before us, painted in 1680 by Adam van der Meulen, captures a specific historical event. Its full title is "Louis XIV, King of France, Crosses the Rhine at Lobith on 12 June 1672." Editor: Whoa, my first impression is… pure spectacle. The theatrical swagger of it all! Like a perfectly staged movie scene. Is this history painting or carefully crafted propaganda? Curator: It’s a little of both, really. The crossing of the Rhine was indeed a pivotal moment, celebrated for its strategic and symbolic significance. Consider how Louis XIV is presented. Notice the visual echoes of Roman emperors? Van der Meulen elevates the king to almost mythical status. Editor: The king, perched regally on that pristine white horse… a total power pose! But what’s fascinating is the controlled chaos around him. The water churning with men and horses, the cannon smoke... yet he remains so detached. It’s like he’s immune to the messiness of war. A deliberately crafted image of unwavering authority. Curator: Precisely! The imagery conveys the might of the French monarchy. The river becomes symbolic, too. The Rhine historically served as a border. This painting depicts France's ambitions, projecting power. Editor: The little details are great too. Everyone around Louis seems to be wearing the fanciest clothes ever and are like ‘look at our victory, but we still have to be fancy because of who we are.’ I can't imagine doing battle with that hair, I think it would only serve to blind you. Curator: The choice of materials also speaks to the King's intention, I think. Van der Meulen used oil paints for this art piece and his usage of color adds a touch of drama and sophistication, don't you agree? Editor: It makes the entire picture looks alive! So yes I can see what you mean with his ambitions for France. That gives me an entire new look at the piece! Thanks for all of the information! Curator: It was a pleasure, there is so much more that one could find out with a little research! Editor: Absolutely! It really pays off taking a look at older paintings. You can understand so much of what was going on and that, in itself, is wonderful.