The Coronation scene from Meyerbeer's Le Prophète, 1850 (w/c on paper)

The opera Le Prophète, a complex tale set in sixteenth-century Germany, was one of Queen Victoria’s favourites. She was particularly thrilled by the scene set in Münster cathedral in 1534 in which ‘The Prophet’, John of Leyden (centre), is recognised by his mother (left). Having posed as a Heavenly Messenger, John of Leyden challenges his followers to kill him if they believe the woman’s claims. The mother, fearing for her son’s life, declares she has been mistaken and is dragged off to prison. Text adapted from Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010