The Penance of Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester 1900

Edwin Austin Abbey's 1900 painting, "The Penance of Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester," depicts a dramatic scene from English history. The Duchess, clad in a white gown, stands barefoot in the center, surrounded by a somber crowd, her face solemn as she holds a hammer. Abbey, known for his historical accuracy, captures the somber mood of Eleanor's public humiliation, highlighting the power of the church in Medieval England. The painting, now housed at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, serves as a visual reminder of the historical context of the Duchess's controversial story.