Godiva
John Collier · 1897
Why it's great
According to legend, Lady Godiva rode a horse through the town in protest of a harsh tax, and the townspeople kindly stayed indoors. Collier painted her in a hush of dignity. The tale is a famous English legend. It's a picture of courage.
🏛️ Part of history
The Norman Conquest (1066–1087) — Lady Godiva, who lived in the years before the Norman Conquest, rides through Coventry to win a tax cut for the townspeople.
Where to see it
📍 Herbert Art Gallery and MuseumCoventry, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
John Collier was born in London and studied art in London, Paris and Munich. He painted portraits and scenes from history and legend, often with strong feelings. He also wrote about art and science. He died in London in 1934.
