The powerful monarch known as the "Sun King" is Louis XIV, who reigned over France from 1643 to 1715. His reign is notable for the centralization of power and the absolute monarchy that characterized his rule. Louis XIV made significant cultural contributions, including the patronage of arts and the establishment of the Palace of Versailles, symbolic of his grandeur. His famous statement, "L'état, c'est moi" (I am the state), summarizes his belief in the divine right of kings and signifies the authority he wielded during his lengthy rule.