Idylls of the King 

Gustave Doré rendered this Arthurian scene with detailed engraving techniques. The stark moon illuminates a dark, desolate landscape littered with fallen knights, evoking a sense of finality. Consider the ring cast aside in the foreground. It recalls similar dismissals of power in Wagner's Ring Cycle. Its circular form is an ancient symbol of eternity and unending cycles, yet here, it lies abandoned, suggesting a broken oath or a kingdom lost. The motif of the fallen knight, common throughout medieval and Renaissance art, carries the weight of mortality. Observe the horse and rider, a classic pairing. Yet, here, they are isolated, and they appear defeated in the face of a crumbling Camelot. The somber scene taps into the collective subconscious. It reminds us of the ephemeral nature of power and the inevitability of decline, engaging our emotions on a deeply primal level. This is a powerful symbol that echoes through art history. Doré's image encapsulates the cyclical nature of glory and ruin that continues to resonate through time.