Arthur and Aegle in the Happy Valley, 1849 (oil on canvas)

King Arthur is seen with Queen Aegle in the mythical Happy Valley, supposedly located in the Alps. The picture illustrates a poem by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton (1831-1891). John Martin studied the night sky above his London home in order to paint the moon and stars above the landscape. Like the majority of Martin's paintings, the picture features tiny figures within an awe-inspiring landscape. However, the serene atmosphere and deep blue colouring make this an unusual example of Martin's paintings. John Martin became a successful London artist after studying in Newcastle;