King Lear Weeping over the Dead Body of Cordelia
1794
oil
From the collection of Tate
1794
oil
From the collection of Tate
This painting depicts a dramatic scene of a man in a white robe, weeping over the body of a woman. The man, with a long white beard and hair, is dressed in a red cloak and holds the woman's lifeless body. The woman, wearing a yellow dress, lies on the ground, her head tilted back. In the background, a group of people are gathered, some of whom are dressed in armor. The scene is set against a backdrop of hills and buildings, with a body of water visible in the distance. The overall mood of the painting is one of sorrow and tragedy. To learn more about the artist behind this powerful piece, look up James Barry.
