| Painted in 1866 the inspiration of this picture
was a poem by Robert Browning, and it has the arched top favoured
by the artist at this sage in his career. It has the subtly coloured
background one expects of a good Hughes picture, and the drapery
painting and the face of the young woman are wonderfully done. The
damsel in distress is being protected by the chivalrous Count
Gismond,
who has slain the villain who has tried to besmirch her reputation.
Over the arched top of the picture is written ‘ Over my head his
arm he flung against the world.’
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