Paul Delaroche (1797-1856) was one of the most celebrated artists of the first half of the nineteenth century. His major paintings, including The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, The Princes in the Tower, The Young Christian Martyr, and other works based on historical events, achieved widespread recognition throughout Europe. Delaroche's fame in his own lifetime has been followed by an almost complete neglect in the twentieth century.

In this handsomely illustrated book, Stephen Bann redresses the imbalance of scholarship on Delaroche.