Saga Gallery

Man in the Iron Mask, playing the cello in prison

There are conflicting theories as to who this man was. One is that he was Count Ercole Antonio Mattioli (Matthioli or Marchioly, 1640-1703), an Italian diplomat, arrested as Eustache Dauger in 1669, imprisoned by Louis XIV for 34 years, who died in the Bastille. Another theory, according to Voltaire, is that he was the older, illegitimate brother of Louis XIV -- this later formed part of Alexandre Dumas Three Musketeers saga, in which the man is Louis twin brother

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10007281

Ny Kgl Saml 1867.4, s.95v The Killing of Balder (pen & ink and w/c on paper) (see also 169947)

XTD69854 Ny Kgl Saml 1867.4, s.95v The Killing of Balder (pen & ink and w/c on paper) (see also 169947) by Icelandic School, (18th century); Royal Library, Copenhagen, Denmark; (add.info.: paper copy of Snorra Edda (The Prose Edda); written and illustrated by an Icelandic farmer; son of Odin and Freya and husband of Nanna, favourite and wisest of all gods is killed by a twig of mistletoe shot by the blind god Hodur on instructions of Loki; Twilight of the Gods; Gylfaginning; Scandinavian god of light;); Icelandic, out of copyright

© Bridgeman Images

A Triptych: Christ on the Cross with the Virgin, the Magdalen, Saint John the Evangelist and Angels; on the Wings Christ Offered Vinegar Before the Crucifixion and the Lamentation, the Agony in the Garden and Ecce Homo, (oil on panel)

659307 A Triptych: Christ on the Cross with the Virgin, the Magdalen, Saint John the Evangelist and Angels; on the Wings Christ Offered Vinegar Before the Crucifixion and the Lamentation, the Agony in the Garden and Ecce Homo, (oil on panel) by Oostsanen, Jacob Cornelisz van (1470-1533); Centre panel 72.5x46.8. Wings 76x26. cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: A Triptych: Christ on the Cross with the Virgin, the Magdalen, Saint John the Evangelist and Angels; on the Wings Christ Offered Vinegar Before the Crucifixion and the Lamentation, the Agony in the Garden and Ecce Homo. Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen (1470-1533). Oil on panel. Centre panel 72.5 x 46.8cm. Wings 76 x 26cm.); Photo © Christie's Images

© © Christie's Images / Bridgeman Images