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The Beautiful Stranger poisond by her Sister

Henry William Bunbury

1785

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Rococo painting Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

The Beautiful Stranger poisond by her Sister is a 1785 watercolor by Henry William Bunbury, a Rococo painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Henry William Bunbury
When & what style?: 1785 · Rococo painting
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

The painting depicts a woman, dressed in a flowing gown, lying on a bed or couch, with her head resting on a pillow. She appears to be in a state of distress or illness, with her eyes closed and her body limp. The room is dimly lit, with a single light source casting a warm glow on the woman's face. In the background, there is a subtle hint of a door or a curtain, which adds to the sense of intimacy and privacy. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of quiet contemplation and introspection. This painting is reminiscent of the works of artists associated with the Romanticism movement.

The story of this work

Overview

This drawing by Henry William Bunbury from 1785 may be one of eight illustrations for *Arabian Nights Entertainments*, exhibited at the Royal Academy that year. The composition features a latticed backdrop, a motif also present in another of his works, SP129. The scene depicts a woman being poisoned by her sister, framed within an interior setting. The work was purchased at Bonhams in December 1973 for £10.

Read the full account in the museum source.