Artwork
Tennyson reading aloud in a Glade
Tennyson reading aloud in a Glade is an oil painting by 9th Earl of Carlisle, George Howard. It is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
George Howard, who later became the 9th Earl of Carlisle, created an oil painting titled *Tennyson reading aloud in a Glade*. The work presents a quiet woodland clearing where a man, identified as the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, reads from a book while two women listen. The composition balances figures and landscape, inviting the viewer into a moment of literary contemplation.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is Tennyson, depicted in dark clothing and a red cap, seated on the grass and reciting verse. Flanking him are two women—one in a dark, flowing dress standing to his left, and another in a lighter dress and hat seated to his right. The setting suggests a harmonious blend of nature and poetry, emphasizing the reflective atmosphere of outdoor reading.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs layered brushwork that gives the foliage and water in the distant background a palpable texture. Howard’s handling of light creates subtle contrasts between the illuminated figures and the shadowed trees, enhancing depth and drawing attention to the central act of reading. The palette remains muted, reinforcing the serene mood.
History & Provenance
George Howard, an aristocrat and politician, was also an amateur painter and the last Earl of Carlisle to reside at Castle Howard. He completed this work during his lifetime, though the exact date is undocumented. The painting remains part of the Howard family’s artistic legacy, reflecting the Earl’s personal interest in both literature and visual art.
Artist & collection
Artist
9th Earl of Carlisle, George Howard
George James Howard, 9th Earl of Carlisle (12 August 1843 – 16 April 1911), known as George Howard until 1889, was an English aristocrat, peer, politician, and painter. He was the last Earl of Carlisle to own Castle Howard.
