Studies of "Fortitude" and "Purity" for the mosaic "St. George and the Dragon"

Sir Edward John Poynter British, born France

ca. 1869

Not on view

Poynter made this drawing around 1869 as he prepared a mosaic centered on St. George for the Central Lobby of the Palace of Westminster. In the finished work, England's patron saint stands over a dragon, accompanied by female figures that represent Fortitude and Purity (Poynter also designed a St. David mosaic symbolizing Wales, but the Ss. Andrew and Patrick panels—relating to Scotland and Ireland—were not installed until the 1920s based on designs by Robert Anning Bell). This sheet of hand studies demonstrates the artist's exacting process, focussing on Fortitude with her emblemmatic club (a symbol inherited from Hercules), and Purity holding the edge of a helmet (derived from St. Paul's exhortation to believers in "Letter to the Ephesians" to “put on the whole armor of God," including the helmet of salvation).

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Studies of "Fortitude" and "Purity" for the mosaic "St. George and the Dragon"
Artist: Sir Edward John Poynter (British (born France), Paris 1836–1919 London)
Date: ca. 1869
Medium: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: Sheet: 9 1/2 × 10 3/4 in. (24.2 × 27.3 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Donato Esposito, in memory of Giuseppe Esposito, 2013
Object Number: 2013.609.25
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Sir Edward John Poynter

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

A Dream of Love ("Once a Week," p. 393), Sir Edward John Poynter British, born France, Wood engraving — A Dream of Love ("Once a Week," p. 393)
Sir Edward John Poynter
Joseph Swain
October 4, 1862

Pharoah Honors Joseph, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery", Sir Edward John Poynter British, born France, Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card — Pharoah Honors Joseph, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"
Multiple artists/makers
1864–81

Joseph Before Pharoah, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery", Sir Edward John Poynter British, born France, Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card — Joseph Before Pharoah, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"
Multiple artists/makers
1864–81

Joseph Distributes Corn, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery", Sir Edward John Poynter British, born France, Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card — Joseph Distributes Corn, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"
Multiple artists/makers
1864–81

Moses and Aaron Before Pharoah, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery", Sir Edward John Poynter British, born France, Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card — Moses and Aaron Before Pharoah, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"
Multiple artists/makers
1863–81

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.