La Belle Dame Sans Merci - Hath Thee in Thrall

Flint first estiablished his artistic reputation as a literary illustrator, working for the 'Illustrated London News' between 1903 and 1907, and providing illustrations for H Rider Haggard's 'King Solomon's Mines', published by Cassell & Co in 1907. This watercolour illustrates the poem 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' by John Keats (1795 - 1821). The poem tells the story of a wandering knight held 'in thrall' and seduced by a femme fatale. It reflects on themes of love and death and as such was a popular inspiration for artists throughout the 19th century.