Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne John Gilbert (1817-1897)

The composition presents a dramatic confrontation set within a dense woodland environment. A youthful figure stands centrally, holding aloft what appears to be the severed head of another man impaled on a long spear. The fallen figure lies prone at his feet, also bearing a weapon – a sword – suggesting a recent struggle.
The central figure’s posture is one of triumph and perhaps righteous indignation. His left hand gestures outwards, as if emphasizing the act he has committed or proclaiming it to a silent audience. He wears attire indicative of a forest dweller: a tunic, leggings with red accents, and what seems to be a leather jerkin. The details in his face suggest youthful vigor, though there is an underlying intensity in his gaze.
The fallen figure, lying on a fur-lined cloak, appears defeated. His beard suggests a more mature age than the standing man. The spear holding his head is positioned against a thick tree trunk, which serves as a stark backdrop and visually reinforces the permanence of his demise.
The woodland setting itself contributes significantly to the narrative. The trees are rendered with considerable detail, their gnarled branches creating a sense of enclosure and mystery. Light filters through the foliage, illuminating certain areas while leaving others in shadow, adding depth and drama to the scene. The ground is covered in grass and undergrowth, further emphasizing the wildness of the location.
Subtextually, the work explores themes of justice, revenge, and social order. The act depicted – the display of a severed head – carries strong symbolic weight, suggesting a challenge to authority or an assertion of power by those operating outside established norms. The contrast between the youthful vigor of the standing figure and the fallen man’s defeated posture hints at a generational conflict or a struggle between opposing ideologies. The woodland setting reinforces the idea that this event occurs beyond the reach of conventional law, in a space governed by its own rules and moral codes. The fur cloak on which the fallen man lies could signify status or wealth, implying that the act is also an attack on privilege. Overall, the scene conveys a sense of violent resolution within a world where justice is not always dispensed through official channels.