Who painted Juliet and the Friar?

Juliet and the Friar was painted by Hatherell in 1875.

Where can I see Juliet and the Friar?

Juliet and the Friar is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Juliet and the Friar?

Juliet and the Friar is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Juliet and the Friar?

Museum-quality prints of Juliet and the Friar are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Juliet and the Friar

Hatherell , 1875

Juliet and the Friar is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Hatherell. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Juliet and the Friar is a watercolour painted in 1875 by Hatherell. The work depicts a moment from Act IV, Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, showing the heroine in dialogue with Friar Laurence. The artist’s signature is present on the piece.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents Juliet kneeling on a bed, draped in a multicoloured cloak with a hood, while the friar stands nearby in a dark habit, his belt formed by a rope and a wooden cross visible at his side. A crucifix can be seen through a window behind them, underscoring the religious context of the scene.

Technique & Style

Executed in water-based pigments, the painting employs soft, blended tones and loose, rapid brushwork that convey a sense of immediacy. The limited palette and subtle shading create a dimly lit interior, emphasizing the emotional tension between the two figures.

History & Provenance

Created in the late nineteenth century, the work reflects the Victorian era’s interest in literary illustration. The piece bears Hatherell’s signature, confirming authorship, and has been documented as part of collections that focus on Shakespearean visual interpretations.

Context

The scene captures the pivotal moment when Juliet, distraught, seeks counsel from Friar Laurence before her planned union with Paris. The setting, a modest brick-walled chamber, aligns with stage directions that locate the encounter in a private, somber space within the play.

Visión de San Francisco de Asís, Luis Menéndez Pidal

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Artist & collection

Artist

Hatherell

Hatherell painted scenes from literature in watercolor between 1875 and 1925. The sheet Juliet and the Friar shows Shakespeare’s doomed heroine in a candlelit room, consulting the friar about her plan to fake her death.…