Der Handschuh (Waterhouse)

Der Handschuh is a painting by British Pre-Raphaelite painter John William Waterhouse, completed in 1883. The title translates to "The Glove" in English.

The painting depicts a scene from Friedrich Schiller's ballad "Der Handschuh" (The Glove), a poem recounting an event at the court of King Francis I. In the poem, a lady, to test the courage of her lover, Sir Delorges, throws her glove into an arena filled with a lion and a tiger. Delorges, without hesitation, descends into the arena, retrieves the glove, and throws it back in the lady's face as a sign of his contempt, before departing.

Waterhouse's painting captures a moment of high drama from this narrative. It typically portrays Delorges descending into the arena to retrieve the glove, or sometimes, the scene immediately following the retrieval, emphasizing the spectators' reactions and the lady's presumed embarrassment. The specific composition and details can vary depending on the interpretation and rendition of the scene, as Waterhouse's work is an artistic interpretation of the ballad rather than a direct illustration. The painting often showcases Waterhouse's characteristic style, with careful attention to detail in the costumes, setting, and the emotional expressions of the figures. It is considered one of Waterhouse's notable works, exemplifying his interest in literature and historical subjects.