Henry FUSELI
Swiss-British 1741-1825
Milton, when a youth
c. 1796-1799
oil on canvas
128.0 x 103.0 cm
Purchased 1981
E1-1981

This is one of forty paintings Fuseli painted and then exhibited in London in 1799, which depict episodes in the life of the poet Milton. The incident depicted is from his Milton's early life, based on a romantic myth which describes how Milton, asleep under a tree, was observed by an Italian lady. Moved by Milton's beauty she wrote some lines of poetry and placed them in his hand. It has been suggested that it is not a literal transcription of this story but more likely refers to poetic inspiration by the muse.