About this artwork

Dyce's watercolour evokes the mythic medieval world of King Arthur and his knights. Arthur's sad expression as he watches Lancelot kiss Queen Guinevere's hand in farewell, reflects his knowledge of Guinevere and Lancelot's love for each other and his awareness that many of his men will not return. The composition represents 'Piety' and was designed for one of seven panels depicting the Christian virtues, based on Sir Thomas Malory's poem 'Le Morte d'Arthur.' These were destined for the Queen's Robing Room in the new Houses of Parliament, but the Royal Commission supervising the project rejected this design, considering its mood too pessimistic.

Updated before 2020

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William Dyce

William Dyce