The Vision of Catherine of Aragon

The Vision of Catherine of Aragon (RA 1781) is a history painting believed to be inspired by Shakespeare’s King Henry the Eighth, Act IV, Scene II. At this moment in the play, Katherine has just asked her attendant, Griffith to tell her about the death of Cardinal Wolsey. Although Katherine detests Wolsey for his vast ambition, his accepting of bribes for ecclesiastical favors, and his duplicitous actions, Griffith’s eulogy has made Katherine wish him peace in the afterlife. Following her conversation with Griffith, Katherine falls asleep and has a vision.