Prison of the last Queen of Majorca
1876. Oil on canvas.On display elsewhere
The painting depicts this episode of the conquest of the kingdom of Majorca by Peter IV, king of Aragon, called ‘the Ceremonious’ (1319–1387). The scene is the arrest of Constanza of Aragon (1318–1346), Queen of Majorca and sister of the Aragonese king, and who was being held prisoner by her husband, King of Majorca, James III (1315–1349).
Peter IV, King of Aragon, ordered his brother, the Infante, to escort members of the court of the king and queen of Majorca to his lodgings. He also ordered that the queen herself be taken to his fortress, willingly or by unwillingly. When the Infante arrived at the convent of Friars Minor to be received by the monarchs of Majorca, the Queen replied that she would be very happy to comply, if the King, her husband, who was present, would be pleased. The King of Majorca made it clear that he did not want her to go. The Infante replied that she would go whether she wanted to or not, for the king wanted it and commanded it. As the Procurator General of his kingdom, he could compel her to do so. He then ordered the Queen to rise and to follow him. The King of Majorca, filled with anger, called it a violation, stating that his queen was being forced under the pretence of safe-conduct. The Infante replied that it had to happen, for the King commanded it. In the end, the Queen went to the King´s palace.
Díez, José Luis (dir.), Pintura del Siglo XIX en el Museo del Prado. Catálogo general, Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado, 2015, p.547
