Archer was a Scottish painter and a member of the Royal Scottish Academy. Archer painted several Arthurian paintings during his career including pictures based on the theme of Arthur in Avalon. Most of these paintings are now lost to us, but some have survived, for example, 'Queen Guinevere' or 'Arthur in Avalon'.
The painting 'Arthur in Avalon' was inspired by Blaikie's poem and painted in 1860. Now it is shown in the collection of Manchester City Art Gallery and it is nowadays known as "La Mort d'Arthur".
The painting shows King Arthur, "the once and future king", lying in Avalon. He is surrounded by four queens watching over him. The two figures on the shore are believed to be Merlin and Nimue. Arthur is having a vision of the Holy Grail, as embodied by the ethereal angel figure painted at the top right of the picture.
