Prince Arthur and Hubert (Shakespeare, King John, Act 4, Scene 1) 1823 - 1824

Thomas Goff Lupton created this print, "Prince Arthur and Hubert", depicting a scene from Shakespeare's King John. The stark contrast between light and shadow immediately draws the eye, creating a palpable sense of drama. Lupton masterfully uses chiaroscuro to highlight emotional tension. Hubert, towering over young Arthur, obscures his face in anguish, one arm held high. This pose, along with the objects in the background, may signify the struggle between duty and morality that permeates Shakespeare's play. The composition is carefully arranged to emphasize the psychological weight of the scene. Arthur’s pleading gesture towards Hubert is heightened by the latter’s expression of internal conflict. Lupton destabilizes any fixed interpretation, urging viewers to question the moral dimensions of power and authority. The print thus acts as a dynamic site where aesthetic form and ethical inquiry intersect.