SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL FLINT, R.A., P.R.W.S., R.S.W. (BRITISH, 1880-1969)

In 1910, Russell Flint illustrated an edition of Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur for the Medici Society. It was published as a limited edition of 500 books, each containing four volumes. The present lot is an illustration from volume three and depicts the moment when Dame Elaine, King Pelles and Dame Brisen find Sir Lancelot asleep by the well, following his descent into madness. Dame Brisen, fearful that awakening him will distress him further, casts an enchantment over the knight. The illustration is accompanied by the caption, 'But ye shall abide and I shall throw such an enchantment upon him that he shall not awake with in the space of an hour; and so she did. (Book XII Chapter IV).' Once safely in the tower, Sir Lancelot is laid next to 'the holy vessel of the Sangreal' and healed of his madness.