“The Knight Errant” is an oil-on-canvas painting by John Everett Millais, dated 1870. This artwork, classified under the Romanticism movement and the genre of literary painting, measures 136.3 x 184.2 cm. It is currently housed at the Tate Modern in London, UK.
The artwork depicts an evocative scene set against a backdrop of a dark, dense forest. A knight in shining armor stands adjacent to a partially nude, bound woman who is tied to a tree. The knight is in the process of cutting her bonds with his sword, signifying his role as her liberator. The dramatic, romantic theme is evident through the use of vivid colors and intricate details, which draw attention to the contrasting states of vulnerability and heroism portrayed in the scene. The symbolic interplay between the characters and their environment further emphasizes the narrative depth characteristic of Millais’ work.
