Tomb Gallery

Virgils Tomb

Virgil's Tomb (1785). Wright, Joseph of Derby 1734-1797. Wright travelled in Italy from 1774-76 and produced many fine drawings of classical subjects and geological curiosities. On his return to England Wright used these drawings to produce a number of paintings of Italian subjects, many of which employ dramatic effects of light. Virgil's Tomb, near Naples, was much visited on the ?Grand Tour? due to its picturesque appearance and the great esteem in which the Roman poet Virgil was held in the eighteenth century. Date: 1785

© National Museums NI / MARY EVANS

Moses by Michaelangelo

The Moses (c. 15131515) is a masterpiece of High Renaissance sculpture by the renowned artist Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome. Commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II for his tomb. Moses is depicted with horns on his head, to symbolise wisdom and enlightenment. Date: early 16th century

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Operation Mincemeat - site of grave of Major Martin

Site of the grave of Major William Martin in the Nuestra Senora cemetery in Huelva, Spain, whose body was found washed up on shore in Spain on 30th April 1943, an elaborate and successful deception by British forces in World War Two (codenamed Operation Mincemeat) to convince German high command that the Allies were planning to attack Greece and Sardinia in 1943 rather than Sicily, the actual objective. Major Martin never in fact existed and his body was that of Glyndwr Michael, a homeless man who had died in January 1943. Date: 1943

© Mary Evans / The National Archives, London. England