Imogen Found in the Cave of Belarius
- Artist: George Dawe
- Date: exhibited 1809
- Medium: Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions: support: 1003 x 1270 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the “Imogen Found in the Cave of Belarius” by George Dawe. Painted in 1809, it captures a tense moment from Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. The heroine, Imogen, has slipped out of court and is hiding disguised as a young man. In this scene, the loyal soldier Belarius and her two long‑lost brothers stumble upon her inside a dim cave. They think she’s dead after she’s taken a sleeping potion, but she’s very much alive. Dawe, known mainly for portrait work, stepped into history painting with this piece—considered the top genre at the time—showing his ambition. The dramatic lighting pulls the eye into the cavern, while the figures’ poses convey shock and curiosity. It first appeared at the British Institution in 1809, where its literary theme and strong contrasts were meant to impress. The canvas measures about 1003 × 1270 mm and was acquired by the museum in 1965. Through this work, Dawe invites us to witness the moment when courage meets fate in a Shakespearean drama.
See it in person
Imogen Found in the Cave of Belarius is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
