The Dream of Absolutism: Louis XIV and the Logic of Modernity.

This article discusses the concept of absolutism during the reign of Louis XIV. The author analyzes various sources, including memoirs, paintings, and paeans, to explore the idea of absolutism as a dream. The author argues that absolutism only existed as a dream and should not be taken seriously. However, the article acknowledges that this perspective is one-sided and idealized, and does not consider the criticisms of absolutism from figures like François Fénelon and Louis de Rouvroy de Saint-Simon. Overall, the article provides a unique perspective on absolutism but may not fully capture the complexities of the topic. [Extracted from the article]