Who painted Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife?

Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife was painted by Charles West Cope in 1850.

Where can I see Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife?

Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife?

Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife?

Museum-quality prints of Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife

Charles West Cope , 1850

Milton's Dream of His Deceased Wife is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles West Cope. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:by later hand in graphite on upper verso: #2717 / [Milton's Dream] / St. #40461 (erased)

About this work

Overview

Charles West Cope’s etching titled Milton’s Dream of His Deceased Wife, executed around 1850, is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington. Rendered on Chinese paper, the work presents a quiet interior scene that invites contemplation of loss and memory.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a solitary figure reclining on a bed, his head supported by his left arm, draped in a white sheet. A modest lamp on a nearby table casts a soft glow, while a window with a cross‑shaped opening frames the scene, suggesting a spiritual or reflective atmosphere linked to the title’s reference to Milton’s grief.

Technique & Style

Cope employed the delicate line work of etching, exploiting the fine grain of Chinese paper to achieve subtle tonal variations. The medium’s capacity for nuanced shading enhances the dim lighting and the gentle texture of the sheet, reinforcing the work’s contemplative mood.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, the print entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition, though specific details of its earlier ownership remain undocumented. Its presence in a major public institution underscores its relevance to American print collections of the period.

Milton's Dream of his Deceased Wife, Charles West Cope

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Artist & collection

Artist

Charles West Cope

Charles West Cope (28 July 1811– 21 August 1890) was an English, Victorian era painter of genre and history scenes, and an etcher. He was responsible for painting several frescos in the House of Lords in London.