PIETY: THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE ABOUT TO DEPART IN QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL

Painted by Scottish painter William Dyce in 1849

According to the National Galleries of Scotland, "Dyce's watercolour evokes the mythic medieval world of King Arthur and his knights. Arthur's sad expression as he watches Lancelot kiss Queen Guinevere's hand in farewell, reflects his knowledge of Guinevere and Lancelot's love for each other and his awareness that many of his men will not return. The composition represents 'Piety' and was designed for one of seven panels depicting the Christian virtues, based on Sir Thomas Malory's poem 'Le Morte d'Arthur.' These were destined for the Queen's Robing Room in the new Houses of Parliament, but the Royal Commission supervising the project rejected this design, considering its mood too pessimistic."