A Medieval Scene with Soldiers, Three Female Figures and a Dead Knight on a Litter

WAG 8967

Information

Henry Holiday (1839 – 1927) was a painter as well as an established stained-glass artist who completed commissions for churches both in England and America. In 1855 he was the youngest student of painting at the Royal Academy Schools, and like many young artists was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite painters. He was encouraged by critic John Ruskin (1819 – 1898). As well as Holiday’s very important painting ‘Dante and Beatrice’ (WAG 3125) which is on display in room 08, the collection includes over 300 drawings and watercolours. There are studies of figures, animals and stained-glass designs which show Holiday’s technique as a draughtsman.