Etienne Marcel protects the Dauphin 1889

Jean-Paul Laurens painted this image of Etienne Marcel defending the Dauphin, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. This academic painter specialised in historical subjects which often dealt with themes of political or religious conflict. Here, Laurens depicts a scene from 14th-century France. Etienne Marcel, a powerful merchant, is shown protecting the Dauphin, the future Charles V, during a revolt. The painting speaks to the turbulent relationship between the monarchy and the emerging merchant class, a key theme in French history. It prompts us to consider the politics of imagery and the role of art in shaping national identity and historical memory. Understanding this artwork requires researching the historical context of 14th-century France and the 19th-century French academy. What social, economic, and political issues were at stake in each era? How did Laurens use his art to comment on the social structures of his own time?