Order Restored in the Kingdom's Finances

The King is painted seated on his throne, leaning on the “tiller of the state” and pointing to the Harpies chased by Minerva. The Harpies symbolise the “partisans”, the financiers who advanced large amounts to the state in return for the right to raise indirect taxes. They were detested by the people and were regularly summoned to justify their operations by the “chambers of justice” (perhaps it is the one held in November 1661 that is evoked here). Louis XIV holds in his left hand the gold key to the privy purse of the royal treasury that he offers to Fidelity, while she shows him the account books: this allegory certainly refers to Colbert as Controller General of Finances. The allegorical figure of France supplicating the King is on her knees before him.

Full title : Order Restored in the Kingdom's Finances, 1662