#6 – The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse
According to the legend, The Lady of Shalott was cursed in a tower near King Arthur’s Camelot. In Tennyson’s poem, the Lady of Shalott suffers from a curse that forbids her from leaving her tower. She sits in the tower and weaves, only allowed to look upon reality through a mirror. Defying her curse, she looks out the window and heads in a small boat to Camelot. Punished for breaking the curse, she dies before reaching her destination.
Waterhouse depicts the Lady of Shalott in her final moments, as she lets go of the boat’s chain: her mouth is parted as she sings ‘her last song’. The tapestry she wove during her confinement is draped over the boat. The artist hints at her near demise: in front of her is a crucifix and next to her are three candles, two of them blown out. Candles were often used to symbolize life, and the two blown-out candles signify that her life will end soon.
- Customizable – Multiple sizes and framing options are available
- Fun Facts and History of The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse