Evangeline and Gabriel Embrace

By Little Paris Fine Arts

This illustration is from page 25 of the book of Henry Longfellow’s epic poem "Evangeline A Tale of Acadie" (Bogue , London, 1850), the first known illustrated version. Jane Eleanor Benham Hay (1829 –1904) was a British painter and illustrator, a virtual pioneer of Victorian female artists. British publisher Henry Richard Vizetelly(1820 – 1894) was the book’s engraver. The image was scanned from an original first edition copy of the book. Gabriel and Evangeline are facing tremendous joy and fear at the same time – the joy of their engagement, the fear of attack by the British. Then comes the thought of both happening at the same time; perhaps they are praying at the same time. Related Verses Part the First, Canto III. Meanwhile apart, in the twilight gloom of a window's embrasure, Sat the lovers, and whispered together, beholding the moon rise Over the pallid sea and the silvery mist of the meadows. Silently one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.