| A portrait of Louis XVI. This unfortunate king with his strange personality sometimes showed that he could be great in foreign affairs, but at home he was unwilling or unable to undertake the renovation of the monarchy that his enlightened cabinet ministers urged. Weak and indecisive but with surges of violence, he was under the pernicious influence of the queen and her clique. Very religious and obedient to the Pope, Louis XVI could not sincerely adhere to an anti-clerical revolution that was championing "human rights". His character pushed him to continually adopt a double-faced policy which led to his demise.
(It is essential that the copyright-by-line of this artwork: Musˆme Carnavalet / Roger-Viollet appear next to the image.) |
