Portret van Charlotte Corday 1834

Antoine Maurin created this lithograph of Charlotte Corday in France during the early 19th century. Corday, who was executed in 1793 for assassinating the Jacobin leader Jean-Paul Marat, is presented here as a figure of romantic, even tragic, heroism. The image subtly evokes classical virtue, perhaps alluding to the Republican ideals of the era or critiquing their violent betrayal. The soft, idealized rendering of Corday also transforms a politically divisive figure into a more palatable symbol. Lithography itself, as a relatively new and accessible printmaking technique, allowed for wider circulation of such images, shaping public memory of the French Revolution. Historical interpretations of Corday have swung from demonization to celebration, reflecting the instability of post-revolutionary France and the ongoing struggle to define its values. Understanding this image requires exploring the history of the revolution itself, the politics of martyrdom, and the role of print culture in shaping popular opinion. Careful research into these areas is essential. The image reminds us that our view of the past is always mediated through the lens of the present.