Louis XVI Entering Paris, October 6, 1789 1789

Jacques François Joseph Swebach’s "Louis XVI Entering Paris, October 6, 1789," depicts the French King's return to the capital after his exile in Versailles following the storming of the Bastille. The small, detailed print depicts the King’s carriage surrounded by soldiers and a cheering crowd, showcasing a pivotal moment in the French Revolution. The artist, born in 1769 and active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, captured the scene with remarkable detail and an emphasis on the public’s reaction to the return of the King. This work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of the French Revolution and the changing tides of public opinion.