After George Watts (English 1817-1904) Oil Sir Galahad
Description: RA Barry (English 19th Century School) Oil on Canvas depicting Sir Galahad leading a horse through a wooded landscape after the 1850's Oil on Canvas by George Frederick Watts (English 1817-1904). Signed on Stretcher R A Barry. Framed. Note: The model for the head of Sir Galahad was Arthur Prinsep, Thoby and Sara Prinsep's younger son. A study exists (Watts Gallery), made in 1855 or 1856. Arthur Prinsep, who was about sixteen or seventeen at the time, was also the model for two other images of knights in armour by Watts, Una and the Red Cross Knight (from Spenser) and Aspiration... Sir Galahad is traditionally associated with Tennyson's poem of the same name, and certainly, as Staley notes, 'Watts's imagery is consistent with Tennyson's knight who combines virgin purity with ardent faith'
My strength is as the strenth of ten,
Because my heart is pure...
So keep I fair thro' faith and prayer.
A virgin heart to work and will.