Who painted Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife?

Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife was painted by Charles West Cope in 1854.

Where can I see Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife?

Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife?

Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife

Charles West Cope , 1854

Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Charles West Cope. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The monochrome work presents a nocturnal interior where a sleeping woman lies in a modest bed, illuminated by the gentle glow of a solitary candle.

Charles West Cope’s 1854 print titled Milton’s Dream of his Deceased Wife is an etching executed on chine collé. The monochrome work presents a nocturnal interior where a sleeping woman lies in a modest bed, illuminated by the gentle glow of a solitary candle. A nearby open book, a chair, and a partially lit adjoining room are rendered with restrained detail, creating a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The scene suggests a dreamlike visitation, echoing the title’s reference to the poet John Milton’s imagined encounter with his late spouse. The reclining figure, the candle’s soft light, and the open volume of the book evoke themes of memory, loss, and the lingering presence of the departed within a domestic setting. The composition invites viewers to consider the intimacy of personal grief.

Technique & Style

Cope employed fine, closely spaced lines to model the textures of fabric, curtains, and the candle’s flame, achieving a near‑tactile realism within the limits of printmaking. The chiaroscuro effect arises from the contrast between deep shadows and the warm, localized illumination, a hallmark of mid‑nineteenth‑century etching that emphasizes atmospheric depth without resorting to color.

History & Provenance

Created in 1854, the etching was produced during Cope’s mature period, when he frequently explored literary and historical subjects. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has appeared in several nineteenth‑century print collections and remains cited in studies of Victorian visual interpretations of Milton’s poetry.