The artwork titled “Milton Dictating Paradise Lost to His Daughters” was created by the renowned artist Eugene Delacroix in 1826. As an oil on canvas piece, it measures 79 by 63 centimeters and is associated with the Romanticism art movement. Classified as both a history painting and a genre painting, this work depicts a significant historical and literary moment capturing the blind poet John Milton as he recites his epic poem, “Paradise Lost,” to his daughters, who serve as his scribes.
The artwork presents an intimate domestic scene illuminated by the soft glow of interior lighting. At the center is the figure of John Milton, his eyes closed, embodying a serene detachment from his surroundings as he is deeply immersed in his creative process. Milton is seated, leaning back in his chair in a pose that seems to convey the weight of his blindness and the ethereal nature of his poetic visions. His right hand appears limp over the armrest, emphasizing his reliance on his daughters for the physical act of writing.
To the right of Milton, one of his daughters is portrayed in the act of writing down his dictated verses. Her attention is entirely focused on the pages of the notebook resting on her lap, her posture one of earnest concentration. The other daughter, positioned to the left, is holding a string instrument, possibly indicating a pause in the dictation or providing a subtle background melody to the rhythm of the verses.
The room around these figures is modestly adorned, but a few elements stand out, such as a draped curtain, a floral arrangement, and conspicuously, a painting on the wall that perhaps reflects the allegorical or mythological themes within Milton’s epic. The overall atmosphere is one of quiet contemplation and creative solemnity, typical of Delacroix’s ability to convey emotional depth and narrative complexity in his compositions. Through this melding of personal drama and historical reverence, the artwork powerfully conveys the significance of Milton’s work and the poignancy of his situation.
