Book of the duchess: to the execution

Number 18: The condemned prisoners are led to execution

The plot episode 17 (summarised from the text of Lorna’s novel)

A week later, the city that wore a dangerous air of calm as Michael and Raoul were led to their execution.

Lorna’s remarks

Here again parts are good. The figure of the executioner and the group round the doorway are convincing. Michael, except for his doomed expression, is not.

The alteration of the slope of the roof shows a moment of aberration when I totally forgot the rules of perspective, which like the rules of Medes and Persians ‘alter not’*, and I have grave doubts of the correctness of the wedges of shadow in the background.

The tower, in spite of the circumstantial detail of the black flag, does not convince me, whereas the stone hall in the former picture did.

The odd legs appearing at each side of Michael are unfortunate.

In most of the early pictures an error of judgement or ‘turnip’ can usually be found. It sometimes proceeds from lack of skill, but more often I think from lack of conviction.

*Here Lorna is citing the Book of Daniel, chapter 6, verse 8: 'Now, O king, issue the ordinance and have it put in writing, so that it may be unalterable, for the law of Medes and Persians stands forever'.