Legendary Gallery

Manfred von Richthofen, German pilot

Manfred von Richthofen (1892-1918), or the Red Baron, German fighter pilot who won 80 air combats during World War I. Richthofen (centre) is standing with members of Jasta 11, or the Flying Circus. Richthofen achieved his first air victory on 17 September 1916. On January 12th 1917, he was awarded the Orden Pour le Merite (Blue Max) for reaching 18 victories. Around this time he decided to paint parts of his aircraft red to help identify himself to his allies. Richthofen was shot down over France in April 1918, aged 25, and was succeeded by Hermann Goring, who went on to become the head of the Luftwaffe

© SCIENCE, INDUSTRY & BUSINESS LIBRARY/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Loch Ness monster, artwork

Loch Ness monster. Computer artwork of the Loch Ness Monster swimming on the surface of Loch Ness, Scotland. Sightings of the monster have occurred at least since the 15th century, with earlier stories dating to the 6th century, but scientific evidence for its existence is lacking. This depiction is based on Elasmosaurus, a species of plesiosaur (a prehistoric marine reptile). Sceptics have suggested that the sightings are of unstable masses of drifting peat. However, the monster's alleged existence continues to attract tourists, and the myth endures

© VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

The Attainment; The Vision of the Holy Grail to Sir Galahad, Sir Bors and Sir Percival

BIR68247 The Attainment; The Vision of the Holy Grail to Sir Galahad, Sir Bors and Sir Percival, from the series The Quest for the Holy Grail, 1895-96 (wool, silk, mohair and camel hair weft on cotton warp) by Burne-Jones, Edward Coley (1833-98); 695x244 cm; Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery; (add.info.: This sequence of tapestries was originally designed for William Knox D'Arcy, for the dining room of his house, Stanmore Hall in Middlesex (see black and white image). Several further versions were woven later. Birmingham's The Attainment is one of three tapestries commissioned in 1895 by the industrialist Laurence Hodson, for his house Compton Hall near Wolverhampton.
The subject matter is based on the 15th century text Le Morte D'Arthur (The Death of Arthur) by Sir Thomas Malory. It tells the story of the spiritual quest by the knights of King Arthur's round table for the Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus and the disciples drank at the Last Supper.
The final scene shows the three successful knights. The relative purity of each knight's life is represented by their distance from the Holy Grail, which sits on the altar inside the chapel. Sir Galahad kneels in the doorway surrounded by white lilies, symbolising his purity. On the left are Sir Bors and Sir Perceval.
Three standing angels hold symbols of Christ's passion, including the bleeding lance of Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced his side on the cross. Above the Holy Grail is a Pentecostal wind, symbolising the presence of the Holy Spirit.
flowers by John Henry Dearle (1860-1932)
Manufacturer: Morris & Co - View history); English, out of copyright

© Bridgeman Images