Musicians Gallery

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by William McLaren

King Arthur welcomes the Green Knight into the Banqueting Hall and invites him to dismount and eat with the company. Everyone is amazed to see the unexpected visitor, holding a bunch of holly in one hand and a large green axe in the other. The Green Knight turns down Arthur's invitation, instead issuing a challenge, that if anyone there is brave enough to exchange blows with him, he will give them his battleaxe

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Boys Band, Training Ship Indefatigable

The Boys Band of the Training Ship Indefatigable pose for their photograph in a field, near a tent -- probably at a local fete where they were performing. Their ship was moored on the River Mersey, off New Ferry, Cheshire, established in 1865 to receive the sons and orphans of sailors, and other poor and destitute boys, and train them for the sea

© Mary Evans / Peter Higginbotham Collection

Francesco Matania

Chevalier Francesco Matania (1884-1957), operatic singer and professor of singing, pictured in The Tatler at the time of his return to London in 1920 (presumably he had remained in Italy during the war). The Tatler report that Matania, with considerable experience in opera had also made a special study of voice-training and vocal art and had opened a studio at the Wigmore Hall Studios in Marylebone where he gave singing lessons. The brother of the famous artist and magazine illustrator, Fortunino Matania, Francesco in later life would share his brother's work space, giving music lessons in the rooms above the artists studio at 104, Priory Road, Kilburn, London. Date: 1920

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans