Allegory of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV

The Edict of Nantes, promulgated in the reign of Henri IV, which authorised the practice of the Protestant religion in France, was revoked in 1685. This provoked the exodus of French protestants to the countries of northern Europe. This theme which is both religious and political was set as the subject for the first work of the newly elected members of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1686: the king is dominated by the allegorical figures of Religion, Piety, Truth and Faith.

Full title : Allegory of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in 1685