The Death of Earl Siward

James Smetham, 1821-89

1861

Etching on steel in black ink on paper

6 ⅛ x 3 1/16 inches (15.6 x 7.9 cm) - Image size

Private Collection

This etching dates from October 1861. The subject deals with Siward the Strong, a Danish follower of King Canute and an Earl from the time period 1055 A.D. Siward, upon feeling the approach of death, he desired to be clothed in his armour and set upon his feet that he might not die 'crouching like a cow'. The helmeted Earl is shown standing under an archway supported by a woman and a man representing Sweetness and Strength and framed by the upright pikes held by men at arms, whose hands only appear in the composition. This is the most “Pre-Raphaelite” etching of the group and appears to have been inspired by the work of D. G. Rossetti or Edward Burne-Jones. Smetham also did an oil version of this subject that he exhibited at the Liverpool Academy in 1859.

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