Crusader Gallery

Richard I the Lionheart (1841) by the French Neoclassical painter Merry-Joseph Blondel (1781-1853). Blondel was a student of Jean-Baptiste Regnault and did a whole series of famous crusaders such as Richard the Lionheart, Raymond IV de Toulouse, Jean de Joinville and others for the Crusader Gallery in the National Museum in Versailles.

Cannon Fodder

Sir John Falstaff Reviews His Ragged Regiment (1859) by the English artist Sir John Gilbert (1817–1897). Falstaff in front of his infamous "shadows", non-existent or disabled soldiers for whom the commanding officer receives pay. Recruiting is here a business with the only purpose to make money. In a very modern way Falstaff refers to his men: "Now, now: they’re good enough to die. Cannon fodder, cannon fodder—they’ll fill a mass grave as well as better men would."

Heroic Hokum

The Capture of Malta in 1530 by Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, Grand Master of the Order of Knights Hospitaller, (1839) by the French painter René Théodore Berthon (1776–1859). Despite of the name of the painting Malta wasn't captured but given to Knights Hospitaller in by 1530 Emperor Charles V after they lost Rhodes. So it's evidently a kind of heroic hokum.

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.

Pre CinemaScope Ben-Hur

The Chariot Race (1873) by the Hungarian painter Alexander originally Sándor von Wagner (1838- 919). Wagner was a student of the famous Karl von Piloty and became later himself a professor in history painting at the Munich Academy.

His most famous work is Chariot Race, which he painted for the Vienna Exposition (1873). The painting depicts the close of a chariot race in the Circus Maximus in Ancient Rome, presided over by Emperor Domitian. Chariot Race was completed in 1882 just two years after the publication of Ben-Hur.

A Queen in Chains

Zenobia’s Last Look on Palmyra by the British painter Herbert Gustave Carmichael Schmalz (1856-1935). Zenobia (240 – c. 275) was the Queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Roman Syria, who led a famous revolt against the Roman Empire. She ruled over Egypt until 274, when she was defeated and taken as a hostage to Rome by Emperor Aurelian.

One Brave Man

The_Agitator_of_Languedoc by the French painter Jean-Paul Laurens (1838-1921). Laurens shows here Bernard Délicieux was a Franciscan friar who resisted the Inquisition in Carcassonne and Languedoc in southern France. At last he was put on trial because of obstructing the Inquisition tortured and sentenced to life in prison in solitary confinement.

Religios fanatism was one of the great subjects of Laurens.

A King Defeated

Henry III, the King Who Lost His Common Sense by the Italian artist Fortunino Matania (1881-1963). Matania is best known for his realistic portrayal of World War I trench warfare, but did also a lot of illustrations for history books. Here he depicts hiw king Henry III is taken prisoner at the battle of Lewes in 1264.

Moonlight

A Reconnaissance (1902) by the American painter Frederic Remington (1861-1909). The title suggests a military task but it seems that the two men are watching the stars. So it seems that the real adventure here is more nature.

Heroic Defense

The Hospitalier Maréchal Guillaume de Clermont defending the walls at the Siege of Acre, 1291, by The French painter Dominique Papety (1815–49). The painting forms part of the over 120 paintings in The Salle des Croisades in the Palace of Versailles. The rooms were created in the mid-19th century by king Louis-Philippe, and opened in 1843, at a time when France was seized with enthusiasm with its historical past, and especially the Crusades period.

Cruel Tradition

Druids offering human sacrifices by the French artist Alphonse de Neuville (1835-1885). This book illustration was done for Guizot's History of France. Neuville studied under Eugène Delacroix and was one of the most famous illustrators of his time.

Lost Liberty

Martha the Mayoress by the Russian painter Alexey Kivshenko (1851-1895). Martha the Mayoress, was the widow of Novgorod's mayor. According to legend and historical tradition, she led the republic's struggle against Muscovy between her husband's death and the city's eventual annexation by Ivan III of Russia in 1478. After the defeat Martha was escorted to Moscow with the veche bell the symbol of Novgorod's liberty.