The 17th century, the brilliant era of the heyday of French absolutism, which brought worldwide glory to France and its culture, is inseparable from the image of the monarch, like the sun, who illuminated his country and was nicknamed by his contemporaries: the Sun King. Louis XIV did an invaluable amount to French culture - theater, painting, architecture, ballet - for many centuries served as a standard and example, a measure of the achievements of other national cultures. With his direct participation, Versailles was created, he patronized Racine and Moliere, Mansart and Lully, and it was to him that the honor of creating the classical French ballet belongs. Less known, however, is that Louis XIV, being a passionate admirer and connoisseur of the arts, himself paid tribute to the muses: he appeared an excellent musician and an outstanding dancer, whose skill was noted unanimously and not only because of loyal feelings. The famous French musicologist and novelist Philippe Bossan devoted this work to the vast topic of “Louis XIV and Art.” Captivatingly written, Bossan's book will be of interest to anyone who loves France and wants to learn more about its great culture.