The subject of this painting is borrowed from the medieval history of England. As the legend goes, the children of Edward IV, Edward V, and his brother Richard, duke of York, were confined to the Tower and strangled by order of their uncle, Richard III. Alternatively, the painting could have been inspired by Shakespeare’s historical drama “Richard III, " specifically by the narration of Sir James Tyrrell, who described the murder of Edward V and Richard by Dighton and Forrest. The painter interprets the subject as a theatrical scene with a certain sentimental vibe. In his characteristic style, Delaroche meticulously renders the characters’ faces and outfits, as well as details of the interior. Legendary subjects and a rigorous approach to painting became mainstream in that period as historicism rose in popularity. This particular choice of subject could also be determined by the painter’s own biography: around this time Delaroche became a widower and was concerned about the future of his two children.