SIDNEY HAROLD METEYARD | Tristram and Yseult

Roy Miles, London; Christie’s, London, 22 February 1977, lot 144 as Knight Kneeling before a Princess, where purchased by Seymour Stein

London, Royal Academy, 1907, no.993

This picture is in excellent original condition. The paper is flat and there are no obvious damages or condition issues. The picture is ready to be hung. FRAME The picture is contained in the original decorative Pre-Raphaelite style frame bearing the artist's name and the title in painted cartouches. The picture is glazed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Little is known about Meteyard’s life but he left a wonderful legacy of his paintings, designs for stained glass and murals, enamel work and book illustrations. It is thought that Meteyard may have encountered Burne-Jones whilst teaching at the Birmingham School of Art. Certainly the influence of Burne-Jones was strong in both Meteyard’s choice of subjects and his technique, with its beautiful attention to decorative details of design. Tristram and Yseult takes its narrative from the Morte d’Arthur, like several pictures by Meteyard, including the similar Merlin and Vivian of 1908 (private collection) and his most famous work “I’m Half Sick of Shadows” Said the Lady of Shalot of 1913 (private collection) recently shown in the exhibition at the National Gallery in London 'Van Eyck and the Pre-Raphaelites'. In the latter painting, like Tristram and Yseult, a circular mirror is prominent.

The love of Tristram (Tristan) and Queen Yseult (Iseult, Ysolde) was a popular subject for Pre-Raphaelite artists, painted by both Rossetti and by Burne-Jones. It had a lasting popularity for romantically-inclined artists and was the subject of a painting of 1901 by Herbert Draper (destroyed, formerly at the Walker Art Gallery) and another by John William Waterhouse of 1913 (private collection).