William Holman Hunt: The Lady of Shalott (1888-1905)

 

(Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, USA)

A painting by the English artist William Holman Hunt (1827 – 1910). This piece shows a scene from the poem "The Lady of Shalott" by the English poet Alfred Tennyson (1809 – 1892). The poem tells the tale of Elaine of Astolat, a young noblewoman imprisoned in a tower up the river from Camelot. Elaine of Astolat was cursed not to leave the tower or look out of its windows. She weaves a tapestry, viewing the outside world only through reflections in a mirror behind her. At one time Elaine spies Sir Lancelot in her mirror and the sight of Lancelot and the sound of him singing draws her away. She stops weaving and looks out of her window toward Camelot, bringing about the curse. Elaine leaves the tower to take a boat across the river but meets her death before she reaches Camelot. The painting shows the scene after Elaine has looked directly out of her window at Sir Lancelot. She is standing within her circular loom, with an unfinished tapestry. The weaving is breaking, trapping her in its threads. Painting from 1888-1905.