More patriarch than dictator

Charles Le Brunthe subject of Wolf Burchards beautifully presented bookhad the rare combination of skill and social grace required to succeed in the faction-ridden, bureaucratic climate of Louis XIVs court. He worked for the king nearly half his life, entering Louis XIVs service in 1661 at the age of 42 and working for him until he died at 71 in 1690. His preeminent position among the Sun Kings artists is evident from the many offices that he held: he was the kings premier peintre; chancellor, r