3-011-453 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"John Bunyan Reciting 'The Pilgrim's Progress' to his friends in Bedford Gaol", by G. F. Folingsby, of Munich, in the exhibition of Fine Arts at Melbourne, Australia, 1864. Engraving of a painting. 'Bunyan is reciting with characteristic fervour some scene of the "Progress" - let us suppose it to be the story of Christian and Eaithful imprisoned by the people of Vanity Fair - which scene he has just composed on the desk to his right, under which lies a huge book - either the Bible or the "Book of Martyrs," his constant companions. His listeners are two Bedford friends and the good gaoler, standing with his keys at his side; while, nestling under Bunyan's arm, is the poor little blind daughter who was long a daily companion of his captivity. The picture has great artistic merit, particularly as regards drawing and character, and is the work of a young artist studying at Munich. It has been purchased as one of the first pictures collected for the public gallery at Melbourne, Australia'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.