Prospero and Ariel 1821

Robert Smirke created ‘Prospero and Ariel’, a watercolor and graphite drawing, during a time when Shakespearean themes were gaining traction in the art world. Smirke's work reflects the complex dynamic between Prospero, the exiled Duke turned sorcerer, and Ariel, the airy spirit bound to his service. Here we have a visual representation of power, servitude, and the negotiation of freedom. Prospero is depicted as an authoritative figure, directing Ariel. This portrayal invites us to consider the colonial undertones present in ‘The Tempest’, where Ariel, a native of the island, is subjugated by Prospero. We see a tension between Ariel's ethereal nature and his constrained existence. As an artist Smirke was innovative, yet he also upheld some of the traditional power dynamics of his time. The emotional weight of the artwork lies in the implied longing for liberation, both for Ariel within the narrative, and perhaps as a broader reflection on the fight for autonomy.