Koning Karel III de Eenvoudige valt van zijn troon, met achter hem Rollo de Noorman 1840s - 1850s

Jules Roze made this print of King Charles III the Simple falling from his throne. Although the exact date of its creation is unknown, it reflects a long tradition of history painting in European art. Here, we see the Frankish King Charles being deposed, with Rollo the Norman looming behind him, a stark depiction of power and vulnerability. The print invites us to consider the intricate power dynamics at play. Who holds power, who is stripped of it, and what are the consequences? Note the use of the throne—typically a symbol of authority—as the stage for Charles's humiliation. The expressions on the faces of the figures surrounding the fallen king, a mix of triumph, indifference, and perhaps even a hint of pity, complicate the narrative further. The artist challenges us to reflect on our own assumptions about leadership, legacy, and the ever-shifting tides of history. The print is a reminder that history is never a simple story, but a complex web of human actions, motivations, and consequences.