The Governor of the Bastille, after Lowering the First Drawbridge, Allows a Large Number of Citizens to Enter the First Courtyard, and Then Has Them Shot (14 July 1789) 1790

Editor: This etching by Jean François Janinet, titled "The Governor of the Bastille...", depicts a brutal scene. The stark contrast and small scale amplify the horror. What can you tell me about its historical significance? Curator: It portrays a pivotal moment, fraught with political implications. Notice how Janinet depicts the Governor’s actions – inviting citizens then firing upon them. Consider the power dynamics at play, and the role such imagery had in shaping public opinion during the French Revolution. What message do you think this print aimed to convey? Editor: That it was a massacre and the Governor was a traitor! I see now the art as a tool of political propaganda, and the museum exhibiting it has to also be seen in a socio-political context. Curator: Precisely! The piece’s power lies in its ability to condense a complex historical event into a potent visual narrative.