---
title: The Last of the Merovingians
author: Évariste Vital Luminais
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17170/the-last-of-the-merovingians/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2023-03-10
---

# The Last of the Merovingians

_Authored by Évariste Vital Luminais_

## Image File

[![The Last of the Merovingians](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17170.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17170.jpg)

## Image Caption

*The Last of the Merovingians*, oil on canvas by Évariste Vital Luminais, late 19th century. The painting depicts a young Merovingian having his hair cut. Known as the "Long-Haired Kings", the Merovingians' long hair symbolized their right to rule, and any Merovingian whose hair was cut short was deemed unfit for kingship. A common way for a Merovingian to dispose of a rival was to have him forcibly tonsured and exiled to a monastery, which is what is happening in this painting.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Luminais, É. V. (2023, March 10). The Last of the Merovingians. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17170/the-last-of-the-merovingians/>
### Chicago
Luminais, Évariste Vital. "The Last of the Merovingians." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 10, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17170/the-last-of-the-merovingians/>.
### MLA
Luminais, Évariste Vital. "The Last of the Merovingians." *World History Encyclopedia*, 10 Mar 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17170/the-last-of-the-merovingians/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beaux-Arts_de_Carcassonne_-_Le_dernier_des_M%C3%A9rovingiens_-_Evariste-Vital_Luminais_-Joconde_04400000403.jpg) by [**Évariste Vital Luminais**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beaux-Arts_de_Carcassonne_-_Le_dernier_des_M%C3%A9rovingiens_-_Evariste-Vital_Luminais_-Joconde_04400000403.jpg). Submitted by [Harrison W. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/harrisonwmark/ "User Page: Harrison W. Mark"), published on 10 March 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.