Romeo and Juliet 

Benjamin West painted this depiction of Romeo and Juliet sometime in the late 18th century. In this scene, we find the lovers at dawn as Romeo must flee. West, like many artists, turned to Shakespeare for subject matter, for stories that spoke to the human condition, even as they were wrapped in dramatic tales. But what does it mean to paint a story about young love and tragedy during a period marked by revolution and upheaval? The image captures a poignant moment of separation. Romeo, with his arm outstretched, is ready to face the world, while Juliet, in a pale pink dress, clings to him, her face a mask of sorrow. Note the nurse, a figure of both comfort and control, as she attempts to hasten Romeo’s departure. West emphasizes the emotional intensity of the scene through dramatic lighting and expressive gestures, inviting us to contemplate the universal themes of love, loss, and the inexorable passage of time. The painting underscores the idea that even in the face of societal constraints and historical turmoil, personal emotions remain a powerful and enduring force.