bigsmellyjerk:

seashellies:

iamacoyfish:

marthajefferson:

The Execution of Lady Jane Grey (detail), Paul Delaroche - 1833

Something about the moment Paul Delaroche chose to illustrate….really made this painting. Idk if that makes any sense. 

This actually happened though. When she knelt down to put her head on the block she reached out for it but couldn’t find it and panicked, yelling out “Where is it?!”. Someone kindly guided her head and shoulders to the block.

Jane was 16-17 when she died. She was put to death for sitting on a throne she never tried to grab. Her parents and in-laws together came up with a plot to keep Catholic Mary off the throne after Edward the Protestant died. She willingly gave Mary back the throne, she never wanted to be Queen.

She was put to death after a lifetime of abuse from her parents over a plot contrived by her parents. The people who were supposed to love, guide, cherish, and take care of her. Even in her time her parents abuse of her was well known and frowned upon.

Her story is so tragic.

this is the painting that got me into loving art