Faithful unto Death

Sir Edward John Poynter|Selmar Hess|Ferdinand Joubert

1888 (?) · Etching and engraving · Drawings and Prints

A Roman soldier guards a gate into Pompeii as the city is devastated by Vesuvius. Based on Poynter's painting of 1865 (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), this etching was made to illustrate Clarence Cook's "Art and Artists of Our Time." A Royal Academy catalogue entry, published when the painting was exhibited, explains the subject: "In carrying out the excavations near the Herculanean gate of Pompeii, the skeleton of a soldier in full armour was discovered. Forgotten in the terror and confusion that reigned during the destruction of the city, the sentinel had received no order to quit his post, and while all sought their safety in flight, he remained faithful to his duty, notwithstanding the certain doom which awaited him."

Artist

Sir Edward John Poynter|Selmar Hess|Ferdinand Joubert

Date

1888 (?)

Medium

Etching and engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Donato Esposito, 2015