'A Ship with Shields Before the Sun', from 'Near Avalon'

Watercolor painting--19th century.

English poetry--19th century.

A stylized composition featuring a long, dark ship at the center of the foreground, its side decorated with a row of round oarlocks. Several figures, adorned with shields stand in the ship with hands seemingly clasped in prayer. In the background sits a white ship with an angelic figurehead. A group of tall, ethereal figures with long hair and golden circlets gather in a ritualistic stance on the right of the white ship. Above them, flowing golden lines and arcs evoke sunlight or celestial presence. Ahead of them, to the left, a large sail features a portrait with a serene expression. The background is filled with purple and muted tones. The painting is signed “Frances E. Macdonald 1897” and inscribed with the title at the bottom: “A SHIP WITH SHIELDS BEFORE THE SUN.”

Pencil, watercolor, gold and silver paint on vellum

Macdonald, Frances, 1873-1921

State University of New York at Buffalo. Rare Books Collection

State University of New York at Buffalo. University Libraries

1897

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eng

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LIB-RB005-20

2013-06-26

The defence of Guenevere, and other poems. Rare Books Z232.M87 no.A5a