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Notes

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The title is a quotation from Spenser’s 'The Fairie Queen':

'Sleep after toyle,
port after stormy seas,
Ease after Warre,
death after life doe greatly please.'

The painting indicates that the woman has achieved a peaceful death after a stormy life. She has safely navigated the stormy seas on the right and has reached a safe harbour. The Angel of Death is allowing her a moment of rest and contemplation before they begin their journey together into the light of the peaceful land behind her. According to Mrs Stirling (Evelyn’s sister) 'The scenery depicted is that of Woolacombe Bay in Devonshire, with the rocks, typical of that part of the coast and Baggy Point in the distance.'