The question pulls at the mind as tight as a stretched canvas: Given his legacy as an exceptional painter, art theorist, and founding member of the French Royal Academy, why is Charles Le Brun (1619–1690) not given attention on par with Nicolas Poussin or Peter Paul Rubens?  Anyone in love with the rich paintings of Baroque art will inevitably engage with its grand masters such as Poussin, Rubens, or Anthony van Dyck. Vast numbers of exhibitions, publications, and even films have shaped our perception of biblical and mythological scenes, further branding these scenes into our collective consciousness. But what about the influential powerhouse of the Baroque era: Le Brun?  Louis XIV and the Palace of Versailles Although the Baroque style originated in Italy, it expanded west and soon dominated the French court, centered at the palace of Versailles. The grandeur of the palace itself also fills volumes of books, with no name more …