“The Prisoner,” created by Evelyn De Morgan in 1908, is a genre painting and portrait that falls within the Romanticism art movement.
The artwork depicts a woman in a pensive and supplicative posture, her hands clasped together as she gazes upwards. She is adorned in flowing robes of deep blue, intricately decorated with a peacock feather motif on one sleeve, and wears a headdress featuring a patterned design. Jewelry, including a necklace with a red pendant and golden bracelets, adds to her dignified appearance. The background reveals a barred window through which a serene landscape is visible, juxtaposing her confined state with the freedom suggested by the open vista beyond. The rich tapestry and detailed elements of the woman’s attire reflect the Romantic fascination with beauty, emotion, and the sublime.
