King Louis XIV of France ruled for a very long time, with an iron fist. The Baroque Style was emotive, ornate, and larger than life just like Louis. He used the Arts to control the nobility of France and to prevent them from attempting to overthrow the monarchy. His influence is strongly felt even today. (The artist's homage to Hyacinthe Rigaud's portrait painted in 1701 that hangs at Versailles, France)