English painter John William Waterhouse created three paintings based on Lord Alfred Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott," depicting a cursed woman from Arthurian legend. The article explores Waterhouse's deep admiration for Tennyson, noting that he filled his copy of Tennyson's works with sketches. It reveals that Waterhouse painted the story in reverse chronological order, starting with the final scene in 1888, then the moment of temptation in 1894, and finally the lady's lament in 1915. The article also identifies the model for the first painting as likely Waterhouse's wife, artist Esther Kenworthy Waterhouse, and describes symbolic details in the work, such as the snuffed candles foreshadowing death.
This article matters because it offers fresh insights into a beloved Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece, connecting literary inspiration, artistic process, and personal biography. By detailing Waterhouse's reverse narrative approach and the identity of his model, it enriches public understanding of a work that remains iconic in Victorian art. The piece also highlights the enduring influence of Tennyson's poetry on visual artists, demonstrating how literature and painting intertwine in art history.