Herbert James Draper (1863-1920) became one of the most successful exponents of academic romanticism in an era in a state of flux, an opulent Golden Age, which saw the last stance of grand narrative painting. Whilst some dreamt of Avalon or Karnak, Draper and his patrons were beguiled by the call of the siren and the distant laughter of the bacchante. The dream would not last for ever.<BR>Herbert James Draper; A Life Study is the first analysis of Draper's art and life, discussing his successes and failures, rise to fame and eventual descent into obscurity.