Lady Una is one of the main characters in English poet Edmund Spenser’s 'allegorical' epic poem, “The Faerie Queene.” She is wise and virtuous and overcomes many trials. She helps the Redcrosse Knight, and later marries him. Along the way, she tames and befriends a lion, who then follows her, as her companion and protector. An 'allegory' is meant to be symbolic. This painting is meant to symbolise the virtues of the British Anglican church. 'Una' means 'unity' and 'oneness.' She symbolises the purity and truth of what was seen as the 'one' true church - the British Anglican Christian church (as opposed to the Catholic church). The lion symbolises courage and strength, so these other virtues of Una's (or the Anglican church) are shown through her gentle mastery over the king of the beasts. This is also like strength card in the tarot. Also see our other painting by Briton Rivière like this called 'Androcles and The Lion.'
"I got a lot to say... I can't remember now." Ramones.
I am just a nice, normal person, the multi-creative, arty-hippie type, probably like most people on here, doing various things online and offline to make money...
Read more…