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Faithful unto Death

Engraver Ferdinand Joubert French
After Sir Edward John Poynter British, born France
Publisher Selmar Hess American
1888 (?)
Not on view
A Roman soldier guards a gate into Pompeii as the city is devastated by Vesuvius. Based on Poynter's painting of 1865 (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), this etching was made to illustrate Clarence Cook's "Art and Artists of Our Time." A Royal Academy catalogue entry, published when the painting was exhibited, explains the subject:
"In carrying out the excavations near the Herculanean gate of Pompeii, the skeleton of a soldier in full armour was discovered. Forgotten in the terror and confusion that reigned during the destruction of the city, the sentinel had received no order to quit his post, and while all sought their safety in flight, he remained faithful to his duty, notwithstanding the certain doom which awaited him."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Faithful unto Death
  • Engraver: Ferdinand Joubert (French, Paris 1810–1884 Menton)
  • Artist: After Sir Edward John Poynter (British (born France), Paris 1836–1919 London)
  • Publisher: Selmar Hess (New York, NY)
  • Date: 1888 (?)
  • Medium: Etching and engraving
  • Dimensions: Image: 9 5/8 × 6 3/16 in. (24.5 × 15.7 cm)
    Sheet: 12 3/8 × 9 1/16 in. (31.4 × 23 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Donato Esposito, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.653.3
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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