This painting was created specifically for the EBSQ "French Revolution" show.

As the decapitated head of an aristocrat falls from her executioner's grasp, her final thought is that she is mortified that her head has slipped its wig.

She doesn't understand why any of this happened. Born to the Second Estate, she has no idea of the plight of the common man. She has never had to encounter or deal with any of their problems. She only lived the life she was born to and followed its rules and traditions, marrying and raising her children.

She was mindless and now she is headless, as well.

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The French Revolution was a far messier bit of business than our own revolution, here in the United States. As with the American Revolution, which gained military and financial support from the French Monarchy, the French Revolution was based on principles of the Enlightenment.

Ironically, the wave of revolts following the victory of the Colonies eventually led the way to the guillotine for this very same monarchy.

Bloodiness fed upon itself. Estimates are that between 15,000 and 40,000 people were executed in the Reign of Terror. Ultimately, Napoleon staged a coup and declared himself emperor. It was a dictatorship that was a far cry from the aims of liberty, equality and fraternity that ignited the revolution.

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For the curious, the head is mine and the great gams are my husband's.

©Madeline Carol Matz. All rights reserved.