Lady of Shalott | Art Analysis (Video Essay)

Here, we examine John William Waterhouse's Pre-Raphaelite painting "The Lady of Shalott". Through a little art history, we uncover the hidden meanings in the painting, it's situation in the story of art, and its relevance to us now. I argue that the Lady of Shalott itself is a defence of the Pre-Raphaelite movement.

[oliver]

I just put "art history video essay" and im not dissapointed. This is definetly a underrated channel, just lower the volume of the music and its all good! Keep up the great work

[basteagui]

seriously it's not only the face, how does waterhouse paint the banner in a way that looks so convincingly silk? and the dress looks of a different material, as well as the pink sheet on the boat. they all have the exact reflective properties. in cgi we do this by tweaking some variables as to how the renderer computes light.
but all waterhouse had was a brush. how is this painting so surreal in it's mastery. it almost doesn't seem possible to me. obviously this is my favorite painter

[rocketassistedgoat]

Stunning. This is his best painting, and the way it was painted is SO elusive. Any, even an accurate analysis of his execution, wouldn't help much: as this is the only natural looking landscape he painted, and the only one painted en plein air: thus is painted differently from the others. One thing I have picked up though, is that this picture, the broader works of Constable, Turner and Corot, all share the same DNA: they employ the juxtaposition of wax painted into glaze. Art historians are never of any use, as they can only tell you meaning. What artists like myself want to know, are the technical details, the HOW it was painted, not the why.

[paulnicolosi]

Well done. This print hangs on my wall and has followed me halfway round the world...

[MelFinch]

thank you, friend. This is one of my all time favorite paintings. I'm glad to finally know its, or rather HER, story. Hail

[italoferrante]

Stunningly mesmerising and insightfully comprehensive!

[Animilover]

This is absolutely beautiful. Please keep at it. 💖

[beverlyaten]

I have loved this painting, and Tennysons’s poem, but this is a brilliant commentary on both! I have gained a sharper understanding of both and think how especially appropriate at This Time!

[jossym]

Still my favourite painting, almost 35 years since I first saw it. It was a school trip to the Tate in the early 90's and I was about 11 or 12.

All a school trip meant to me back then was an excuse to have a laugh with my mates and do zero work. I'd never heard of or seen the painting before or knew anything about the poem. I was having a whale of a time wandering around the 'gallery' as it was then known, messing about and not paying any attention to the paintings when I walked in to the part where this beautiful painting was. Immediately I stopped and just stood there, gazing at it as if in a trance.

I've never forgotten the effect it had on me as a kid - someone who was in to comic books, not museums so a 'tough crowd' to please. I can only say to anybody who hasn't seen it in the flesh to make the effort to do so as looking at it on your phone/tablet/PC/laptop etc does not do it the justice it deserves.

[normasouthwood]

Camelot in 21st Century.
Camelot's river still glides by
And brings a tear to every eye.
The surge is choked with awful plastic,
Cans and condoms, oh it's drastic.

Long gone she is now, Shallot lady,
But still on the river are places shady.
Sadly stinking now they are,
With effluent from near and far.

In his grave now Lancelot lies,
Beneath our grey and poisoned skies.
Fey and wondrous Camelot
Swallowed now by polyglot.

(With apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson.)

[cheaserceaser]

This is my favorite painting of Waterhouse. It is so detailed and rich.

[haidaralhaibi]

This is without doubt, on of my best artists of all time....
There is a mystery behind the work unmatched anywhere else

[martinhasson]

This is simply great and
Speedily explained in tandem
with the magnificent poem.
🎯🤗

[rob-time]

I have this picture on my wall. I know the story from the poem and the song by Loreena McKennitt.
For me, her expression reflects the final moments if the curse upon her as her blood freezes, which is the curse.

[paulpayton]

I love this art and story it's sad and takes me back to a past life ❤👍☺💜 Paul payton Birmingham England

[heydeanie]

I have many paintings of the lady of shallot, it's a beautiful poem... Heart breaking...

[TheLaughingGift]

What is the name of the music that is being played? It's beautiful

[jjsmama]

This brings to mind the Afghan women living their lives hidden away, trapped by the misguided men who have stolen their freedom and hence their lives.

[Daysed.and.Konfuzed]

𝒮ℴ 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝓉𝓇ℴ𝓊𝒷𝓁ℯ𝓈 𝒸ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹'𝓋ℯ 𝒷ℯℯ𝓃 𝒶𝓋ℯ𝓇𝓉ℯ𝒹 𝒾𝒻 ℴ𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒮𝒾𝓇 ℒ𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ𝓁ℴ𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝒷ℯℯ𝓃 𝒷ℴ𝓇𝓃 𝓊ℊ𝓁𝓎.

[DEVanderbiltCecil]

Do you see the correlation of her curse with my life?
I cannot leave because
I might be killed or kidnapped.
I see life dimly, through the internet.
Although she left to die,
I leave to live.