Lot 117: Attributed to William Henry Kearney VPRWS

Attributed to William Henry Kearney VPRWS (1800-1858) A Scene from Thomas Moore's 'Lalla Rookh' Watercolour, 24 x 18.5cm, (9.5 x 7.25) Examples in NG Ireland; VAM; BM This illustrates a passage in Thomas Moore's Oriental romance 'Lalla Rookh' And now-behold him kneeling there By the child's side, in humble prayer, While the same sunbeam shines upon The guilty and the guiltless one, And hymns of joy proclaim through heaven The triumph of a soul forgiven! 'Twas when the golden orb had set, While on their knees they linger'd yet, There fell a light, more lovely far Than ever came from sun or star, Upon the tear that, warm and meek, Dew'd that repentent sinner's cheek: To mortal eye this light might seem A northern flash or meteor beam: But well th'enraptured Peri knew 'Twas a bright smile the Angel threw From heaven's gate, to hail that tear Her harbinger of glory near! In 1827 Kearney exhibited a painting (No. 456) at the Royal Academy, called 'Paradise and the Peri' illustrating this scene. The catalogue quotes 'To mortal eye this light might seem etc.'