Friar Lawrence and Juliet Discover the Bodies of Romeo and Paris (Romeo and Juliet, Act 5, scene 3) 1800 - 1900

This sheet, "Friar Lawrence and Juliet Discover the Bodies of Romeo and Paris," from an unknown artist, uses ink and watercolor to bring Shakespeare's tragic scene to life. Look closely and you'll notice that the somber mood is achieved through layered washes of color, primarily blues and grays, that build up the scene's depth and drama. These techniques – ink wash and watercolor – demanded patience and control, and the artist would need to have had a keen eye for tonal variation. The artist coaxes form out of the material itself, with the light emerging from the darkness of the tomb. Interestingly, the choice of watercolor suggests a certain intimacy and accessibility, especially compared to the grand oil paintings that might depict similarly dramatic subjects. It speaks to a different kind of artistic practice, one that values delicacy and subtlety over bravura. By understanding the material and the making, we can appreciate how this artist found a new way to capture the enduring themes of love, loss, and fate, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.