Summary
In The Two Crowns Dicksee portrays an English medieval prince returning home in triumph on a white horse decorated with three feathers. Wearing a golden crown, he gazes up at a crucifix, Christ's crown of thorns contrasting starkly with the jewelled headpiece and opulent armour of the prince. Although surrounded by admiring onlookers, the prince is transfixed by the sight of this representation of Christ, a vivid reminder of the lack of importance of temporal power and riches.
The Two Crowns is one of a number of paintings by Dicksee with a medieval theme, including The Redemption of Tannhäuser (1890) and The Passing of Arthur (1899). But in contrast to both these works The Two Crowns does not represent any particular historical event. Dicksee seizes the opportunity to create a scene brimming with pomp and ceremony. The jubilation of the crowds at the Prince's homecoming is represented with flying banners and coloured confetti thrown by the youthful maidens in the foreground and from the balcony above. Kestner has argued, however, that the image of the chivalrous prince confirms Dicksee's belief in 'Aryan empowerment, heroic conquest, and male dominance' (Kestner, p.192)… (read more)
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