This huge portrait depicts the execution of the young Lady Jane Grey ( 1537 - 1554 ) who was nominated by her cousin , Edward VI , to be the next protestant monarch of England . However , the catholic Mary , had a greater claim to the throne ( she was Edward's sister and the eldest daughter of Henry The VIII ) had other plans . After reigning for only nine days , Lady Jane was deposed by Mary , and executed the following year . This tragic figure of English history was young and highly intelligent . A political pawn whose destiny was out tragically of her control . She was just seventeen years old .
The painting shows a blindfold Lady Jane about to be executed in one of the chambers of the Tower of London . She is being led to the block by Sir John Brydges , who was Lieutenant of the Tower at the time . The executioner stands to the right of the painting ,the two ladies-in-waiting to the left . One of the women is on her knees , her back to the viewer , hands pressed plaintively against the wall in despair . Under the block is a mound of hay ready to soak up the blood .
No comments:
Post a Comment