Frederic William Burton was from Ireland, but worked extensively in London where he later became the director of the National Gallery.
This was painted in 1864, and depicts Hellelil and Hildebrand inside the turret of a castle. The detail is amazing, and the emotion captured is palpable.
The subject is taken from a medieval Danish ballad translated by Burton’s friend Whitley Stokes in 1855, which tells the story of Hellelil, who fell in love with her personal guard Hildebrand, Prince of Engelland. Her father disapproved of the relationship and ordered her seven brothers to kill the young prince.
beetleypete 
Gorgeous and it perfectly reflects the feel and the philosophy of the school. So many stories…
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I have never seen the actual painting, but the photo still gets the emotions across.
Best wishes, Pete.
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What an amazing painting . And so full of emotion.
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Almost worth travelling to Dublin to see it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Such a gorgeous painting, yet a tragic ending to the story. It reminds me of the great Flemish masters. Can you imagine what it would be like to see this painting?
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It is housed in Dublin at the National Gallery of Ireland, so I have never seen it. However, I have seen the one featured today.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Both are magnificent. Lucky you to see the real deal!
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Amazing detail.
I just wish I had half the amount of talent and skill,
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Something similar coming up today, Bobby.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you for sharing. Warmest regards, Ed
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One of a short series I will be featuring, Ed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’d never seen that painting before; it is exquisite!
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It is in the National Gallery of Ireland, in Dublin. I have only ever seen photos of it.. Another painting featuring tomorow, Susanne.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete, a sad story and an exquisite painting
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Yes, and it pictures the story so perfectly.
Best wishes, Pete.
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She has a braided ponytail. He has a sheathed sword. Interesting contrast.
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All the details come together to make it really work for me, David.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’m trying to figure out what the white fabric he’s holding could be. Part of her dress?
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It’s the elaborate cuff of her sleeve. A contrasting white fabric designed in an envelope style that was popular in the period.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh, now I see it!
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Ah, yes. I see it now!
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Very moving.
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I am drawn to the numerous small details, Dorothy.
Best wishes, Pete.
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i just saw this yesterday for the first time and i was really drawn to it. i looked up the story and it is heartbreaking
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Those painters of exquisite detail have always appealed to me, Beth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pre-Raph blue. And lots of it. When I see pieces like this I marvel at every brush stroke and realize a person did it. Had the patience and even more importantly the skill and, even more – the artistic vision. It doesn’t matter if it’s illustration, impression or modern, the good stuff jumps off the canvas.
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More tomorrow, Phil.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Marvelous
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Glad you think so, Annette.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great painting and a great but tragic story. chuq
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The small details fascinate me, chuq.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, it is a great painting that tells the story of heart break.
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Their expressions are ‘just right’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Lovely painting, Pete, and as you say, amazing detail. Cheers, Jon.
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Glad you liked it, Jon.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A wonderful painting Pete.
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I have a thing for some paintings with a lot of detail. Another one tomorrow.
Glad you like it. Best wishes, Pete.
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Looks like an original photo, ganda.🥰
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It is rich in detail, that’s for sure.
Best wishes, Pete.
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BTW, ‘ganda’ means beautiful or lovely. A Tagalog word.🥰
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Thats too good to be a painting!!!
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I really like paintings that look like photos, no idea why.
Best wishes, Pete.
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