The Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche

The Execution of Lady Jane Grey
Source: Wikimedia Commons

There are few paintings more dramatic than The Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche. A fine example of history painting, the piece represents a golden age in the genre. 

History painting rose to special prominence in nineteenth century England, with many artists borrowing subjects from European and English history for their work. Aside from their popularity, history paintings were also a useful vehicle to explore heightened emotion or to convey the artist’s ideas about the lessons offered by the past. Delaroche specialized in history painting and quickly became known for his melodramatic depictions of English and French history. While he painted in a realistic style, Delaroche’s subjects were romanticized and rich in emotion and drama. 

The Execution of Lady Jane Grey is his most famous painting and an exceptional example of his work. As the title suggests, the painting depicts the death of Lady Jane Grey, sometimes called the Nine Days Queen. In 1553, Jane Grey found herself at the center of a conspiracy to put her on the throne as a Protestant queen in place of her cousin Mary Tudor. However, popular will was on Mary’s side, and Jane’s supporters were arrested and executed. Jane Grey herself was deposed, accused of treason, and eventually executed at the age of sixteen. 

Today, her death is considered a great tragedy. Modern historians tend to view her as the innocent victim of manipulative men, including her father and husband. Historical evidence suggests that Jane had no real desire to be queen. Rather, she was a young girl with no real control over her own life who was buffeted by larger political forces and the ambitions of those around her. Delaroche’s painting reflects this view. 

The Execution of Lady Jane Grey portrays the young queen in the moments before her death. She kneels on the floor in a dark, stone camber. She is blindfolded and wears a white dress; with one hand, she reaches toward the executioners block. To her right, the executioner stands ready with his ax, and the clean straw on the floor—placed there to soak up the blood—symbolizes her impending death. 

From any perspective, it is a heartrending scene. In the background, the viewer can see Jane’s ladies, who have collapsed against the wall in obvious distress. One of them holds Jane’s outer dress, which can be seen as a symbol of the end of her power and reign. The dark walls of the chamber itself (which are inaccurate because the execution would have happened outside in actuality) contrast Jane’s white dress, a symbol of her youth and innocence in the face of death.

It is this drama and attention to narrative detail that make the painting so compelling. Even viewers who are ignorant of history can use Delaroche’s visual cues to tell them that Jane’s death is quickly approaching and that there will be no reprieve for her.  Delaroche’s painting traps her forever in the moment before her execution, the last moment of hope in which someone might intervene. Yet, no matter how much the viewer might want to save Jane, nothing can be done; although it doesn’t stop the viewer from gazing at the painting and wishing things could be otherwise. 

It is a fantastically dramatic scene, and it is the perfect example of the emotional power and appeal of history painting.