This romantic and theatrical scene by Edmund Blair Leighton captures the legendary tale of King Cophetua and the beggar-maid. Dressed in opulent robes of deep red and gold, the king kneels before a modest young woman, offering her a crown. Her humble clothing and bare feet contrast starkly with the royal surroundings—lavish drapery, ornate columns, and marble floors—emphasizing the theme of nobility found in humility. Leighton's refined academic technique and attention to costume and historical setting elevate the moment into a poignant meditation on virtue, beauty, and love transcending social rank.