Daniel Praying

This image of Daniel in Babylon is the earliest known depiction of a biblical subject by a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Hunt responds to Daniel 6, which describes a plot hatched by jealous courtiers to oust the prophet from a favored position at court. These enemies persuaded the Persian ruler Darius the Mede to issue a decree stipulating that, for thirty days, all his subjects could pray to the king only. Here, we see the plotters climbing a staircase to a room where Daniel breaks the new law as he prays to God through an open window facing Jerusalem. As a consequence Daniel is thrown into a lions’ den, where God miraculously protects him. Recognizing this demonstration of divine power, Darius then releases and honors Daniel and simultaneously punishes his enemies.

Darius "the Mede" is mentioned only in the Bible, so it is not clear which ancient ruler described in Persian and Babylonian sources he should be identified with. Daniel 5 calls him the first Persian ruler of Babylon but he does not seem to be Cyrus II (r. 539–530 BCE) since that figure is mentioned elsewhere. The Book of Daniel was not written until centuries after the events described, so it is possible that the king’s name reflects that of the famous later ruler Darius I (r. 522–486 BCE).

In addition to the text below the image that transcribes the relevant biblical passage (Daniel 6:10–11), the mount was inscribed by the artist’s wife, Edith Holman Hunt: "Study for "Cyclographic" by W. Holman Hunt for history of the movement see PR itisim [sic] by WHH" and "To dear "I.G." from his friend of 30 years M Edith Holman Hunt Xmas 1923".