Who painted The Elopement (from Richardson's, 'Clarissa', book I, letter 94)?

The Elopement (from Richardson's, 'Clarissa', book I, letter 94) was painted by Unknown in 1793.

Where can I see The Elopement (from Richardson's, 'Clarissa', book I, letter 94)?

The Elopement (from Richardson's, 'Clarissa', book I, letter 94) is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Elopement (from Richardson's, 'Clarissa', book I, letter 94)?

The Elopement (from Richardson's, 'Clarissa', book I, letter 94) is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

The Elopement (from Richardson's, 'Clarissa', book I, letter 94)

Unknown , 1793

The Elopement (from Richardson's, 'Clarissa', book I, letter 94) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1793 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work, titled *The Elopement* and taken from the first book of Richardson’s novel *Clarissa*, portrays a moment of forced departure.

About this work

Overview

The work, titled *The Elopement* and taken from the first book of Richardson’s novel *Clarissa*, portrays a moment of forced departure. Rendered in oil, the canvas captures a man in a red coat and black hat seizing a woman in a yellow dress, her left hand clutching a sword. Behind them a tranquil landscape of trees and clouded sky offers a calm counterpoint to the urgent foreground.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates a dramatic encounter between two 18th‑century figures, suggesting a narrative of resistance and escape. The woman’s defensive grip on a sword contrasts with the man’s firm hold on her arm, implying a struggle between personal agency and coercion, a theme resonant with the novel’s exploration of virtue under pressure.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the composition balances chiaroscuro and delicate coloration. The bright yellows of the woman’s gown and the deep reds of the man’s coat are rendered with precise brushwork, while the background employs softer, atmospheric tones to convey depth. The painter’s handling of light delineates the figures against the muted landscape, enhancing the tension.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Its acquisition details are recorded by the museum, which lists the work under the title referencing Richardson’s *Clarissa*, indicating its origin as an illustration of the literary source rather than a standalone narrative.

Context

Created as a visual interpretation of a passage from Samuel Richardson’s epistolary novel, the artwork reflects 18th‑century interests in moral dilemmas and sentimental drama. By situating the figures within an idyllic natural setting, the artist aligns the personal crisis with broader Enlightenment concerns about nature, virtue, and societal expectations.