Execution of Louis XVI of France

Louis XVI (1754-1793) was king of France from May 1774 to October 1789. His accession to the throne was promising, with great reforms for the state expected of him, but his lack of character, court intrigues and clashes with the nobles prevented him from carrying out the necessary measures. In an atmosphere of great tension, at the Estates General in 1789, the Third Estate proclaimed itself the General Assembly, which considerably diminished its power. In the face of this, it adopted a dual attitude, expressing agreement with the Assembly, while conspiring against it to eliminate the revolutionaries. After an attempt to flee the city of Paris, he was arrested in Varennes, taken back to the French capital and suspended from his duties. After the storming of the Tuileries palace where he then resided, he was arrested, tried and finally guillotined on 21 January 1793.

Collection: Images

Project: 5. Power and powers in the history of Europe: oligarchies, political participation and democracy., 7. Persecuted by justice and powers: rebels, political dissidents and criminals in the history of Europe.

Chronology: XVIII

Scope: Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, University

Link: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b6949637v

Resource type: Image

Format: Prints

Source: Gallica. Biblioteca Nacional de Francia. Departamento Estampas y fotografía, RESERVE QB-370 (31)-FT 4

Language: French

Date: 10/16/2020

Owner: María del Mar Felices de la Fuente (Modernalia)

Identifier: ark:/12148/btv1b6949637v

Abstract: The image shows the moments before the execution of the last king of France, Louis XVI. The king can be seen in the centre of the image with the guillotine behind him and a pleading gesture.

Image