FORD MADOX BROWN The Death of Sir Tristram Sketch for Stained Glass c.1863 watercolour and pencil on paper, x 9.5 cm inscribed: MFB on reverse in pencil: Death of Sir Tristram by Ford Madox Brown in swap for study near the Pyramids of Ghizah by the latter given by him to G P Boyce April 13 1865 P.298 This illustrates the story of Tristram and Iseult from Morte DArthur by Sir Thomas Malory (d.1471). Sir Tristram, nephew of King Mark of Cornwall, was dispatched to Ireland to bring Iseult the Fair back as his uncles bride. Before they sailed Iseults mother, Queen Isaud, brewed a love potion which she gave to Brangwain, Iseults attendant, with instructions that the pair were to drink it on their wedding night. Brangwain carelessly left the flask in the cabin and, being thirsty, Tristram and Iseult drank it and immediately fell in love. Iseult married Mark but continued to love Tristram. When he and Iseult were seen together by Mark, Tristram was banished from Cornwall and came to Camelot where King Arthur made him a Knight of the Round Table. Later Tristram marries another woman, also named Iseult. When dying of a poisoned wound he sent for Iseult the Fair to cure him. She set sail at once but his wife, in her jealousy, lied saying that there was no sign of her ship and Tristram died. When Iseult the Fair arrived and found him dead she too died and they were buried in one grave. King Mark, furiously jealous, is seen behind the lovers although he does not appear there in the story. | |
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