Les Derniers Jours du Roi Henri Christophe (The Last Days of King Henry Christophe), n.d.

This scene portrays the last days of King Henri Christophe (1767-1820). An intriguing figure, Christophe was elected President in 1807, and later declared himself King of the North while Alexandre Pétion was President of the South. An unpopular autocratic leader, Christophe is known for reinstituting forced labor, creating an elaborate dress code, establishing a system of Haitian nobility, and for constructing ostentatious palaces. In 1820, he suffered a stroke and killed himself shortly after.

~ Joshua Johnson | Assistant Registrar, Figge Art Museum