Artwork

Alma Murray as Beatrice Cenci in 'The Cenci' by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Alma Murray as Beatrice Cenci in 'The Cenci' by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Hal Mansfield Murray. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This painting is a full-length portrait of Alma Murray as Beatrice Cenci from Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'The Cenci'.

About this work

Overview

This painting is a full-length portrait of Alma Murray as Beatrice Cenci from Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'The Cenci'. Executed on an unframed canvas, the work focuses attention on its central figure through a muted, blurry gray background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Alma Murray, is depicted as the tragic figure Beatrice Cenci, holding a dagger in her raised right hand. Her contemplative gaze upward, with loose hair, conveys a sense of introspective turmoil, embodying the character's doomed narrative.

Technique & Style

The artist employs chiaroscuro, evident in the strategic play of light on the subject's face and dress, creating areas of glow and shadow. This technique, common in the era, enhances the portrait's dramatic and emotional depth.

History & Provenance

The canvas is unframed, with its original frame and glass separately stored at Blythe House (F21a Pull-out Rack 8). The painting's current location is not specified in the provided details, though a reference suggests a connection to the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection or interests.