A definitive reference for those who wish to trace the threads of Arthurian
influence on Victorian art. In case you doubted their extent, the author has
been busy tallying the number of Arthurian subjects exhibited, year after year:
the totals are considerable. The book starts, almost by way of prologue, with
an account the earliest tranche of frescos in the Westminster decorationsPalace
of Westminster, DyceDyce's contributions in
particular. These wearisonme undertakings are probably the closest Poulson takes
us the smell of paint.
The second chapter discusses the reinterpretation of Malory's Morte
D'Arthur by Tennyson in his 'Idylls of the King'. It sets the tone for the
rest of the book: these poems are key to an understanding of Victorian obsession
with Arthurian legend, and it may be worth skimming them before proceeding any
further.
Subsequent sections are not really chronological, but each focuses on one
episode in the story of Arthur and his knights, and discusses the extent and
timing of the artistic response. There is an inevitable sense of replay, but
the alternative - trying to follow all the strands simultaneously - would
probably be worse.
The chapters on 'The beguiling of Merlin' and 'The lady of Shalott', are
probably the most closely tied in to well-known pictures. In general the book
is well illustrated (although mainly in black and white) but many of the
pictures shown are in private collections or have been lost.
The final chapter on 'solar mythology' seems to be aiming to talk up the
relevance of this topic, and is slighly reminiscent of Idols of
Perversity.
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