Edward's Children - Paul DELAROCHE, studio of (1797-1856)

Paul DELAROCHE (1797-1856, France), studio of,
Edward's Children or King Edward V and the Duke of York at the Tower of London

Oil on canvas

149 x 187 cm (size with frame)
Circa 1830

Provenance :
French private collection


The children of Edward IV, Edward V and his brother the Duke of York, are imprisoned in the Tower of London. They sense the dark fate in store for them from their uncle, now King Richard III, who is determined to end the regency and seize power. This scene remains one of history's great enigmas, as the fate of these children remains uncertain, inspiring many famous authors, including William Shakespeare.

The composition of the painting directs attention to the door: the bed, the curtains, the dog, the Duke of York's gaze and the open book all converge on this single focal point. The duality of black and white colors symbolizes both the purity of the children and the tragic destiny that awaits them, marked by the resignation of the heir to the throne. The warm, vivid hues emanating from beneath the door foreshadow the bloodshed to come. In this scene, time seems suspended, and we sense the tragedy that lies ahead.

This painting is part of the Romanticism movement, more specifically the troubadour genre, which endeavors to depict scenes from the Middle Ages and bring them up to date. The first version of this painting was exhibited at the 1822 Salon, alongside such masterpieces as Delacroix's La Liberté guidant le peuple and Horace Vernet's L'arrestation des Princes. Following its success at the Salon, the artist produced several versions, including our own.

Today, one of these versions is in the Louvre and was exhibited at the 1831 Salon. Another is in the Queen of England's collection. The version in our possession is the largest after the one in the Louvre.