On the Way to Execution

The State Barge of Cardinal Richelieu on the Rhone (1829) by the French history painter Hippolyte Delaroche (1797-1856). The painting shows Richelieu his barge, preceding the boat carrying Cinq-Mars and De Thou carried to their execution. It's the heyday of Richelieu's power he defeated two of his most powerful opponents, but he will die in the same year (1642) and is already marked by death.

Princes in the Tower

The Sons of Edward IV in the Tower (1830) by the French history painter Hippolyte Delaroche (1797-1856).

Since Shakespeare’s Richard III the story of the poor sons of Edward IV who had been murdered in the Tower had caused a lot of speculations and artwork. The cruel fate of these pretenders to the English throne had inspired especially romantic painters in the 19th century.

The Execution of Jane Grey

The famous French history painter Hippolyte Delaroche (1797-1856) depicts here the Execution of Lady Jane Grey, who had been queen of England only for nine days, when she was deposed by the Catholic Mary I, who became later known as 'Bloody Mary' for her persecution of the Protestants. Delaroche concentrates totally on the personal drama, the poor and helpless queen, the weeping court ladies, even the executioner seems touched.

The Execution of Lady Jane Grey (1833)

Poor Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc interrogated in prison by the cardinal of Winchester (1824) by the French painter Hippolyte Delaroche, commonly known as Paul Delaroche (1797–1856).

This painting was a great success in its time, because of the illumination and the strong anticlerical and patriotic aspects.