Edward John Poynter

Sir Edward Poynter painted the ancient world with careful research and polished technique. His scenes of Greece, Rome and Egypt are full of marble, sunlight and classical figures, drawn with great precision.

He was born in Paris, the son of an architect, and studied in London and in Paris under Charles Gleyre, alongside Whistler. His large painting Israel in Egypt of 1867 made his name, and The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon is in Sydney. He was the first Slade Professor at University College London, director of the National Gallery from 1894 to 1904, and president of the Royal Academy from 1896 to 1918.

A Roman Boat Race and A Visit to Aesculapius show his classical subjects. Look at the drawing of the figures and the detail of the architecture.