The Gilded Cage

An overriding theme in Evelyn De Morgan's work was Women's suffrage; this is best illustrated by this iconic painting, completed between 1901-1902.

By De Morgan Collection

De Morgan Foundation

The Gilded Cage (Probably 1901 - 1902) by Evelyn De MorganDe Morgan Collection

A young woman, dressed in sumptuous gold robes, looks wistfully at revellers outside.

Jewels and books lay discarded, on the floor by her feet.

The inscriptions on the spines of the books on the shelf are in Italian and read “Poesia”; “Musica”, “Arte”; “Mors”, “Tratta-to-della; Medicina” (poetry, music; art; death; interpretations; medicine).

The young woman's entrapment in a male dominated society is echoed by the canary, singing in a golden cage.

The look on the face of the older man suggests that he too is not happy with this situation. Perhaps he bemoans the folly of youth, which rejects the knowledge and riches he has to offer the young woman.

Credits: Story

De Morgan Foundation
Watts Gallery Artists Village

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.

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