The artwork, titled “Thus the people were free for all time from the fear of poisonous reptiles,” was created by Charles Robinson in 1909. It belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) art movement and falls under the genre of illustration. This piece is part of the series “The four champions of Great Britain and Ireland (1909).”
The artwork portrays a robed figure, presumably a monk or a saint, standing on the edge of a rocky outcrop, commanding a horde of snakes to retreat into the water. The composition, characterized by fluid lines and stylized forms, embodies the Art Nouveau aesthetic, emphasizing the natural curves of the snakes and the flowing robe of the figure. The setting, with its subdued background, allows the dramatic action and the central character’s determined demeanor to dominate the scene. The artwork conveys a narrative of triumph over danger, suggesting a sense of protection and liberation for the people.
