'Le Roi de Thulé'

Photograph of an engraving after Ary Scheffer. The related original painting was created around 1839. Inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem 'The King in Thule', the work depicts the crowned, bearded king seated at a table set for supper. He holds a goblet with both hands up to his mouth, while tears drop from his eyes. A young man can be seen standing in the background.

Scheffer (and his studio) continued throughout his life to produce new works of old compositions on demand. His paintings were also widely reproduced as etchings.