WhentalkingaboutLouisXVIandhiswifeMarieAntoinette,whatimmediatelycomestomindarelace,tallwigs,flamboyantclothesandcolours,Versailles,or…theguillotine.Here,betweenthesetwoextremes,existsamiddleground,aperiodoftimeseldomexplored:thefewmonthswhenthelastkingandqueenofFrancewereimprisoned,withtheirtwoyoungchildren,inablackcastleontheoutskirtsofParis,awaitingtheirexecutions.Abriefandcondensedperiodwhere,amidstviolenceandharassment,allmasksfelloff:thoseoftworoyals,aspublicandprivatefigures;thatoftheoldregime;thatofaHistorythatfinallyturnedthepage;andthatofGodwho,fromthenon,waseclipsedbytheshadows,leavingmanentirelyalone.
