One of the dark cells details

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One of the dark cells
Image title: One of the dark cells
Source: Various: “The Leisure Hour” (1896)
Place shown: Vincelles, Jura, France
Keywords: prisons, punishments, people, chains, greyscale
Status: stock image royalty-free for non-commercial uses only, usage credit requested

Notes:

From a contemporary sketch.

Depicting a cell in the dark and feared dungeon of Vincelles, some time between the 16th century and 18th century. The prisoner sits glumly on a rather uncomfortable-looking chair, with his feet secured at the ankle and his hands at the wrist by iron manacles chained to a heavy metal ring set into the stone wall; a metal collar round his neck is fastened by a short chain to another ring in the wall. Behind him is a jug, probably of water, and half a loaf of dry bread. On the floor of his prison cell are perhaps his shoes and cap. The cell door stands open: it is heavy and studded, with two very large bolts to secure it and a small window for inspection. Behind it stretches a corridor and, at the far end of that, a man carrying a bucket and a sword held aloft. (or perhaps a torch?) One wonders if he is an executioner or a torturer.

The picture is signed “Kemplen.”

Dimensions: 102 x 128mm (4.0 x 5.0 inches)
Filename: 701-One-of-the-dark-cells-q75-399x500.jpg
Artist: Kemplen
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