James Archer: Longing, 1869 (detail)

James Archer (1823-1904) was born in Edinburgh, and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy. He first exhibited there in 1842, and became an Academician in 1858. Archer worked in oils, pencil and chalk, and at the beginning of his career specialised in portraiture, his best-known work includes children and people in costume as its subjects.  

In 1849 he exhibited his first historical picture The Last Supper at the Royal Scottish Academy. His work after that mostly consisted of scenes taken from literature or legends that were popular at the time, such as Shakespeare and King Arthur. In about 1859 he began to paint a series of Arthurian subjects, including La Mort d'Arthur and Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere.

the above text appears on the back of the card
HC-841: card size 6" x 6" (150mm x 150mm)