The feigned death of Juliet

Frederic Leighton
Britain
1830 – 1896

The feigned death of Juliet
1856-58
oil on canvas
Currently on display, Gallery 18
Place made
Rome
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
113.6 x 175.2 cm
160.0 x 233.2 x 19.0 cm (frame)
Credit line
Elder Bequest Fund 1899
Accession number
0.160
Signature and date
Not signed. Dated "1856-58, Paris".
Provenance
Mrs. Barwell until 1863; (Christie's, June 27, 1863 sold with 'Paolo and Francesca' for 500); Hamilton until 1893; (Christie's, April 15, 1893, lot 88); Mr Shepherd; ...; William Ryland Esq., Ryd Lodge, Nether Edge, Sheffield, before 1897; acquired by AGSA 1899.
Media category
Painting
Collection area
British paintings

  • ESSAY: The feigned death of Juliet


    Historicism and a return to classical art was a driving force in the artistic movements of the second half of the nineteenth century and Lord Leighton’s subject matter is readily recognisable. Taken from Act IV, Scene V of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the painting depicts the moment Paris discovers the seemingly lifeless body of his betrothed, Juliet. Throughout his career Leighton shared similar concerns with both the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and William Morris, showing a keen interest in medieval symbolism, aestheticism and a love of exotic decoration and design. Today the artist’s home, Leighton House, is a museum and includes not only works of art by Leighton himself but also those of his many friends such as Edward Burne-Jones, George Frederic Watts and William de Morgan.