The Lady in Milton's Comus 1785

"The Lady in Milton's Comus" (1785) by Joseph Wright of Derby is a dramatic depiction of a scene from John Milton's poem "Comus". The painting showcases a woman, illuminated by moonlight, who is lost and vulnerable in a dark and foreboding forest. Wright, a master of chiaroscuro, uses contrasting light and shadow to create a sense of mystery and evoke the unsettling atmosphere of the poem. This oil on canvas, currently housed in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, is a testament to Wright's ability to capture the emotional intensity of literary themes through the power of visual art.