THE EXECUTION OF LADY JANE GREY by Paul Delaroche
Painted in the glory days of 1833, The Execution of Lady Jane Grey exemplifies the qualities of historical painting. It’s dramatic, technically exquisite, and a bit wrong on the factual details. These elements made history paintings popular in the 19th century and then passé soon after. [...] We see that in Delaroche’s painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey. It has all the drama of Lady Jane’s tragic story but tells little truth of the matter. When Jane was 15 years old she was the Queen of England. But this only lasted nine days. A short time later, when she was still only 16 years old, the new Crown executed Lady Jane Grey. The details of how all this went down are confused in the Paul Delaroche depiction. Artistic license like this was a common flaw in history painting. Delaroche gives us a glorious portrait in oil, largely thanks to the intensity of his lights and darks. But that contrast wasn’t likely possible in the actual setting of Jane Grey’s execution ― outside. Delaroche seems to have set the scene in the Tower of London. This marks a significant setting throughout the story because Lady Jane stayed in the Tower while readying for her coronation; and then returned as a prisoner soon after. [...] The pure white silk of Jane Grey’s dress gleams with her innocence along with her porcelain skin. Her martyrdom thus punctuates the center of the otherwise shadowy canvas. It feels operatic thanks to dramatic facial expressions and gestures on the three women present. Lady Jane spreads her hands at her sides with an awkward pose so that her fingers appear to tremble. Her face holds the sad spectre of resignation. While Jane’s maids show much more emotion. One throws herself against the wall in agonizing grief while the other closes her eyes and lifts her face as if she can’t bear the weight of the situation. ©



















