'The Reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets over the Dead Bodies of Romeo and Juliet'

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Painting details

Title: 'The Reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets over the Dead Bodies of Romeo and Juliet'
Date: 1853-55
Dimensions: 177.8 x 231.1 cm
Location: Agnes Scott College, Decatur, U.S.A.

Interpretation

The subject of this painting is act V, scene iii of William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. It depicts the head of each of the two warring families, the Montagues and the Capulets, shaking hands in reconciliation after the tragic deaths of their children Romeo and Juliet.

Drawings related to 'The Reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets over the Dead Bodies of Romeo and Juliet'

Description

A male figure and female figure lie in the center of the scene. A male figure with dark clothing lies with his eyes closed, head back and lifeless body and it is assumed that he is dead. A female figure, representing Juliet, wears a light coloured dress and flowers in her hair, and lies on top of him with her arms around his neck and eyes closed. She too is dead. On the right down below the couple is another dead figure, a male with his eyes closed, who wears a red shroud and is positioned against the structure on which the previously mentioned figures lie. Standing above these two figures are two male figures, both wearing robes, (one with a beard), and shaking hands. A third male figure is standing behind their meeting hands, slightly turning his head to the right. Various other figures can be seen on the left hand side of the painting, including a man with a beard, kneeling with his hands up in the air, in a position of mourning.

Provenance

Collection of Mr. Harrison of Philadelphia in 1858; purchased by Mr. Joseph Harrison, Jr. (train manufacturer, inventor and art collector, 1810-1874); purchased by Neva T. Neal Nelson, 1958; presented to Agnes Scott College by Neva T. Neal Nelson, 1963.

Bibliography

  • Jones, Stephen et al., 'Frederic Leighton', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.71,72 figure 45
  • Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.20, 24-25, 31, 38, 39, 150-151, catalogue number 26, plates 44, 45

Exhibition history

  • 1855, Paris
  • 1858, Philadelphia
  • 2002, Ferrara

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