By the Rivers of Babylon

Edward Poynter

Wood engraving by the Dalziels.

7½ x 7 inches

Dalziels’ Bible Gallery, plate 59

Psalms,cxxxvii. An illustration depicting the lines: ‘How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?’ Three Babylonian men try to persuade the Jewish women to sing, taking their harps out of the tree. The composition is a polished version of Poynter’s historical style, combining sharp characterization with a detailed representation of the setting. It is signed and dated 1865 – three years after the commission was given.

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Scanned image and text by Simon Cooke.

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