- Artist
- Henry Fuseli 1741–1825
- Medium
- Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions
- Support: 991 × 1257 mm
frame: 1248 × 1510 × 108 mm - Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Presented by the Art Fund 1941
- Reference
- N05304
Display caption
Waking from an enchanted sleep, Percival is shown raising his sword to strike the wizard Urma. Meanwhile, his lover, Belisane, clings to his side. Although Henry Fuseli claimed this story was from the ‘Provencal Tales of Kyot’, it was actually his own invention. At first glance, this painting seems to depict the kind of heroic scene associated with grand manner painting. However, it disregards the noble themes and moral lessons such painting usually demanded. Instead, Fuseli’s strange and supernatural imagery emphasises emotional drama and spectacle. This played into Fuseli’s persona as a wild eccentric, equally admired and reviled by contemporaries.
Gallery label, February 2024
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