The Assassination of the Duke of Guise
Paul Delaroche · Public Domain Mark 1.0 / domaine public
This painting by Paul Delaroche, titled “The Assassination of the Duke of Guise,” depicts the murder of Henri of Lorraine, Duke of Guise, at the Château de Blois in 1588. The scene shows the duke’s body lying on the floor, while armed men gather in the room after the attack. The event, ordered by King Henry III, marked a dramatic moment in the Wars of Religion and in the struggle for power between the monarchy and the Catholic League. The image emphasizes political violence, court tension, and the tragic dimension of the assassination.