Artwork
Ariel (from William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest')
Ariel (from William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest') is an unspecified painting by the British Romanticist artist Joseph Severn. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Joseph Severn’s 1826 oil painting presents the spirit Ariel from Shakespeare’s *The Tempest* perched upon a large bat. The nude, long‑haired figure holds a circular disc with a central opening, while a cloudy sky forms the backdrop. Muted tones and soft brushwork convey a tranquil atmosphere, emphasizing the otherworldly calm of the character.
Subject & Meaning
Ariel, the airy servant of Prospero, is rendered as a serene, almost contemplative presence. The figure’s relaxed pose, gentle facial expression, and the hovering bat suggest a fusion of the elemental and the ethereal, reflecting the character’s role as a messenger between the natural world and the realm of magic.
Technique & Style
Severn employs a Romantic sensibility, blending literary narrative with idealized figuration. The palette is restrained, dominated by pale hues that soften the forms. Delicate, blended brushstrokes render the clouds and the figure’s flesh, while the crisp outline of the circular object provides a subtle focal contrast within the composition.
History & Provenance
Created during the height of British Romanticism, the work reflects Severn’s interest in literary subjects and his friendship with poet John Keats. Since its completion, the painting has remained in public ownership and is currently part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection in London, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s 19th‑century British art holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Severn (7 December 1793 – 3 August 1879) was an English portrait and subject painter and a personal friend of the English poet John Keats.
