Vortigern and Rowena 

This painting by William Hamilton depicts a scene from the Arthurian legend, “Vortigern and Rowena.” The painting depicts Vortigern, a British king, kneeling before Rowena, a Saxon princess, as he holds her hand. The scene is set in a grand hall with a group of men standing in the background. It is believed that Hamilton intended for this painting to be part of a larger series illustrating Arthurian legends. Hamilton was known for his historical paintings, often depicting scenes from British history, which he rendered in a style that was heavily influenced by the Neoclassical movement. While this painting does not have an exact date, it is believed to have been created sometime between 1770 and 1801, shortly before Hamilton’s death.