_-_The_Death_of_Cardinal_Beaufort_(1377%E2%80%931447)_(from_William_Shakespeare's_'Henry_VI'%2C_Part_II%2C_Act_III%2C_Scene_iii)_-_486246_-_National_Trust.jpg&width=1200)
The Death of Cardinal Beaufort (1377-1447) (from William Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part II, Act III, Scene iii)
Joshua Reynolds·1789
Historical Context
Reynolds painted The Death of Cardinal Beaufort from Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part II around 1789, one of his last major works and a contribution to John Boydell's ambitious Shakespeare Gallery project, which commissioned Britain's leading painters to illustrate the plays. Reynolds depicts the dying cardinal haunted by visions of his crimes, a subject that allowed him to explore the dramatic potential of religious guilt and mortality. Now in a National Trust property, the painting represents Reynolds's final engagement with history painting.
Technical Analysis
This work demonstrates Joshua Reynolds's command of Romantic-period painting techniques.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the dying cardinal's haunted expression — Reynolds depicts a man tormented by guilt rather than simply ill.
- ◆Look at the dramatic lighting: the deathbed scene uses strong chiaroscuro to create the theatrical atmosphere of Shakespearean tragedy.
- ◆Observe the ghostly or visionary elements: the cardinal sees visions of his crimes, so Reynolds includes supernatural suggestion.
- ◆Find the warm palette that Reynolds adapted from Rembrandt — even his most dramatic history paintings retained this tonal signature.
See It In Person
More by Joshua Reynolds
_with_Inigo_Jones_and_Charles_Blair_-_MET_DP213052.jpg&width=600)
The Honorable Henry Fane (1739–1802) with Inigo Jones and Charles Blair
Joshua Reynolds·1761–66
Lady Sarah Bunbury Sacrificing to the Graces
Joshua Reynolds·1763–65
Sir Thomas Rumbold, Bt.
Joshua Reynolds·1788
_and_Martha_Neate_(1741%E2%80%93after_1795)_with_His_Tutor%2C_Thomas_Needham_MET_DP168995.jpg&width=600)
Thomas (1740–1825) and Martha Neate (1741–after 1795) with His Tutor, Thomas Needham
Joshua Reynolds·1748
