The Entry of the King of France into Strasbourg, 1681

This German engraving, printed in Nuremberg as early as 1681, depicts the solemn entry of Louis XIV into Strasbourg, whose capitulation had been secured on 30 September of that year without a single shot fired. The king and Queen Marie-Thérèse made their entry on 23 October that followed, in an episode many historians regard as the summit of the Sun King's power in Europe. This annexation, achieved through the policy of the chambers of reunion rather than open war, provoked lasting indignation among neighbouring powers.