Isabella and the Pot of Basil, 1907

Private Collection

This painting is based on a poem by John Keats. In the poem, Isabella's lover, Lorenzo, is killed by her brothers. In a dream he appears to her, telling her he is dead and where to find his body. Afraid to arouse suspicion, she carries only his head home. She wraps it in linen, puts it in a pot, covers it with dirt, and plants basil in it. She waters the plant with her tears. Her brothers become suspicious and take the pot away. When they discover that it is the head of Isabella's lover, they bury it again and run off. Isabella dies of sorrow. To see Millais' version of Isabella and Lorenzo, click here.