Signed bottom right corner and fully inscribed in the caption area.
Painted by Waterhouse in 1887. Mariamne was considered to be Herod's favourite of his ten wives, but he was swayed against her following accusations of her infidelity made by her sister, Salome. She was put on trial for this, and was sentenced to be executed. In this powerful and poignant scene, she steps down from the seat of judgement, arms chained, and looks back at Herod, who is slumped in his throne. Her gaze is a mixture of disbelief and scorn. She is depicted in a proud stance, with her head in profile, so typical of the Pre-Raphaelite painters, and with her long hair flowing. The long white dress symbolises her chastity and innocence. To the bottom right of the image we can see the dark archway of the dungeon to which the steps descend, and which will lead to the place of execution.
The master engraver/etcher James Dobie (1849-1911) was born in Edinburgh, but worked for most of his career in the London area. He engraved landscape and genre scenes, and also mythological subjects. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1885 until his death.
Very good condition. Well printed on thick wove paper. Margins intact, platemark clearly visible. A nice strong clear impression. Published in the prestigious "Magazine of Art" in the late 1880s.
Size of main engraved image area is 22.5 x 15.5 centimetres. Adequate blank margins beyond, giving a total sheet size of 31 x 22 centimetres. Blank to reverse.
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