I absolutely adore romantic posters and paintings which depict scenes from medieval and renaissance times. These were times of chivalry, of knights in honor who acted honorably towards their lady fair. Bring powerful romance into your life with these beautiful scenes!
La Belle Dame De Merci
Painted by Sir Frank Dicksee in 1902, this image represents a beautiful woman on horseback leaning down to tantalizingly kiss a stunned knight in full plate armor. The painting is portraying a scene described in a poem by Keats which was written in 1819. In that poem the knight encounters a fairy who seduces him, and then leaves him desolate. Several painters have worked on this specific scene.
La Belle Dame De Merci
Here we go, the exact same scene of La Belle Dame De Merci but this one is painted by John William Waterhouse. This was a bit earlier, in 1893. You can see how both of the kngihts are in full armor, both of the women are solely in gentle fabrics, and it is their beauty and innocence that draws knights in to them. The men are powerless to resist.
The Accolade
A famous scene by Edmund Blair Leighton done in 1901, this features a beautiful queen with flowing golden hair who uses a sword to knight a sturdy young man.
Note how he is disarmed before her - no sword, no helmet. He is completely at her mercy. He bows his head in quiet acceptance while the courtiers look on.
God Speed
God Speed by Edmund Blair Leighton is again about a beautiful, blonde woman who is favoring a knight. In this case the knight is heading off to battle - you can see all of his fellow soldiers up ahead beneath the arch. he pauses for a moment as she ties a favor on his arm. This is to bring him luck in battle, and to remind him of her love. He stares at her while she does this, and her eyes are demurely lowered.
Meeting on Turret Stairs
Created by Frederick William Burton, this is based on a King Arthur style story where the knight falls in love with the wife of his lord. They are Hellelil (the woman) and Hildebrand (the man). The two love each other dearly, but as we well know, only tragedy can result from this. The original story comes from medieval Denmark.
Sir Galahad's Vision of the Holy Grail
Sir Joseph Paton painted Sir Galahad's Vision of the Holy Grail, also known as Knight Reflecting, with the angels guiding him on his path forward. His head is bowed as if in prayer, and he receives the message of the angels with humility and patience. His horse, too, bows his head.
The End of the Quest
The End of the Quest by Sir Frank Dicksee features a man with a sword and simple helmet kneeling before his lady love. She is dressed in long, burgundy robes and seems barely to believe he is there.
