Shelley Composing ‘Prometheus Unbound’ in the Baths of Caracalla

This portrait was commissioned by the Shelleys’ son, Percy Florence. Severn based the figure of Shelley on Amelia Curran’s portrait, which Mary Shelley had lent to him. In his preface to Prometheus Unbound Shelley wrote: ‘This Poem was chiefly written upon the mountainous ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, among the flowery glades, and thickets of odiferous blossoming trees, which are extending in ever-winding labyrinths upon its immense platforms and dizzy arches suspended in the air. The bright blue sky of Rome, and the effect of the vigorous awakening of spring in that divinest climate, and the new life with which it drenches the spirits even to intoxication, were the inspiration of this drama.’ Severn made two exact copies of the painting. This one was given to the Keats-Shelley House by his son, Arthur Severn. The other is still in the possession of Shelley’s descendants.

Severn, Joseph, 1793-1879 (artist)

1845

canvas and coloured oil-based paints

portraits
oil painting (technique)

Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 1792-1822

Gift of Arthur Severn

KSH

Salone

ART-030