SIR WILLIAM BLAKE RICHMOND, R.A. (BRITISH, 1842-1921)

The Greek sun god Helios was responsible for driving a four horse chariot across the sky each day from a palace in the East to another in the West, thereby giving the earth its days and seasons. Helios had a mortal son, Phaeton, who was asked for proof of his divine parentage by his teasing earthly companions. In reponse Helios promised the boy anything he wanted. When Phaeton requested to drive the sun chariot Helios, despite his misgivings, allowed his son to take the reins. Disaster struck, and after initially soaring towards the heavens, the chariot then plunged to earth, scorching its surface before Zeus destroyed carriage and boy with a thunderbolt.
In Phaeton: Sunrise Blake Richmond has captured the initial moment of light, when the horses and chariot began to veer high above the earth.