The Death of Chatterton

"The Death of Chatterton" is a compelling oil painting by the English Pre-Raphaelite artist Henry Wallis. The original piece is housed at Tate Britain in London, while smaller versions can be found at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and the Yale Center for British Art.

Completed in 1856, the painting depicts the tragic demise of young poet Thomas Chatterton, who ended his life at just 17 years old in 1770. Wallis’s connection to the Pre-Raphaelite movement is evident through his use of vibrant colors and symbolic details, skillfully employing chiaroscuro and bold contrasts to bring the scene to life.

Interestingly, the model for Chatterton in the painting was the Victorian writer George Meredith. When it was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1856, the artwork garnered high praise from critics, including the esteemed John Ruskin. It quickly gained popularity, with many reproductive prints made for the public.

Eventually, the painting found its permanent home at the Tate Gallery. The smaller version at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery was generously donated in 1918, while the Yale Center for British Art also proudly displays one of these smaller renditions.