Peace agreement at Aix-La-Chapelle

Louis XIV is handing an olive branch to Spain to mark the peace agreement. Franche-Comté is kneeling on the king’s left in the middle of scattered weapons. The composition differs from the other octagons in blue cameo against a gold background in that its longer side aligns with the length of the gallery instead of being perpendicular to it. It is also notably larger, of similar size to the ovals on either side of the central composition. Lastly, this octagon and its symmetrically matching counterpart (War against Spain for the rights of the Queen, 1667) are the only ones in which Louis XIV is depicted in person. The presence of the monarch creates a central span in the overall layout of the compositions.

Full title : Peace agreement at Aix-La-Chapelle, 1668