This was painted from a drawing of 1969 which was inspired by the Pre Raphaelites and Burne Jones in particular.
It is a tongue in cheek self-portrait of the young Bill Smith in a suit of armour. I have seen a similar portrait of Adolf Hitler in a suit of armour but of course that was deadly serious.
This painting is in the British tradition of Romantic Art. At the time of the original drawing, Victorian Art and especially Pre Raphaelite Art was enjoying a renewed popularity.
