In both form and essence, The Meeting on the Turret Stairs encapsulates the power of love. George Eliot was especially struck by Hildebrand’s expression in the painting, describing the prince as “a man to whom the kiss is a sacrament”.
Despite how susceptible to damage the materials of the painting have always been, the colours remain as bold as the couple’s love for each other, even 162 years later. Burton has included what appear to be crushed white petals near Hellelil’s left foot. Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, tells the BBC that white roses symbolise purity and loyalty.
Dr Campbell holds a personal appreciation for the painting: “When I first saw it, I was struck by the dazzling blue of Hellelil’s dress, the bright colours, and the intensity of the moment depicted, although Hildebrand and Hellelil don’t look at each other,” she says. “Hildebrand seems to kiss Hellelil’s arm, but she turns away from him because she can’t control the strong emotion she’s feeling. I also loved the theatricality of waiting for the cabinet to be opened, and the ‘big reveal’, when I saw the real watercolour for the first time.”
Hildebrand is moments away from death but in this moment, he is forever hers – and she his. By visually immortalising Hellelil and Hildebrand’s last moment, Burton has enshrined their relationship. No matter what happens next in the original ballad, in the painting they are frozen in time, together forever, their love enduring through time.
Devastating outcome
From Hildebrand’s tender embrace to the sensuality of their body language to Burton’s vivid colour choice, there are several reasons why this painting has captivated many over the years.
In the original ballad, Hellelil’s father orders her seven brothers to kill Hildebrand, but the prince ends up killing her father and six of the brothers. However, rather than focusing on the bloodshed, Burton decided to highlight the couple’s romantic love, choosing to portray an imagined final, tender meeting on a turret staircase moments before the shocking outcome.
