Barnave took part in the revolution in 1789 and became a leading politician in the ensuing years. In the National Assembly he campaigned for a constitutional monarchy. He was in private correspondence with Queen Marie-Antoinette from 1791. During the Reign of Terror his contacts with the royal couple was revealed, and Barnave was executed in 1793. He was known as a brilliant speaker. The sculptor has portrayed him as a Roman orator, dressed in a toga, the mantle worn by Roman politicians. He appears to be listening with disdain to the flimsy arguments of his opponent.