A Scene from Milton’s ‘Comus’ Possibly 1844

Editor: Here we have Charles Robert Leslie's *A Scene from Milton’s ‘Comus’*, housed here at the Tate. I’m struck by the contrast between the illuminated figures and the overall darkness. What elements of composition do you find most compelling? Curator: Note the interplay of light and shadow, the *chiaroscuro*, which creates a dramatic tension. Observe how Leslie uses a restricted palette, favoring earth tones, to establish a somber mood, disrupted only by the white dress. How does this limited color range affect your perception of the narrative? Editor: It makes the figures appear isolated. What is the narrative here? Curator: It’s from Milton’s poem, Comus, where the lady is being offered a drugged drink by Comus, thus notice the composition and use of diagonals to frame the interaction, enhancing the drama. It's the formal elements that amplify the scene’s significance. Editor: I see it now. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Indeed, a closer look reveals how form shapes meaning.