Jephthah's daughter contemplating her virginity and her imminent death, surrounded by woeful attendants with musical instruments. Engraving by P. Lightfoot, 1846, after H. O'Neil.

After being condemned to be sacrificed as a result of a rash vow by Jephthah, his daughter asks him: "Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows [her companions]" (Judges 11.37)

On the owner of the painting: "Cyrus Legg (24 July 1813-19 September 1889) was a businessman and local politician in south London. Born in the parish of St John Horsleydown, Bermondsey, he entered business as a wool stapler in the City of London. From 1858-1881 he represented Bermondsey on the Metropolitan Board of Works. In 1873 he was Master of the Worshipful Company of Coopers. He died at his home, Rochfort Tower, South Norwood, aged 76."—London wiki online

London : Art Union of London, 1846 (McQueen)

1 print : line engraving with etching ; image 44.7 x 60.6 cm

Jepthah's daughter. From the original picture in the possession of Cyrus Legg, esq. Painted by Henry O' Neil. Engraved by Peter Lightfoot. Art Union of London, 1846.

Algernon Graves, The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of contributors, London: H. Graves, 1905-1906, vol. VI, p. 14 ("O'Neil, Henry Nelson, A.R.A. Painter, 68 Newman Street. 1843. 361. Jephthah's daughter; the last day of mourning. 'And when the two months had expired she returned to her father, and he did to her according as he had vowed.'—Judges xi.")

Wellcome Collection 20812i

After a painting exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in 1843, no. 361 (Graves, loc. cit.)