For Romeo to genuinely love Juliet, he must see her as an extension of himself and thus care for her as he would for himself. This concept holds true for Juliet as well. This mutual understanding and appreciation is, in essence, the beating heart of their love. In the painting, Romeo and Juliet’s faces are front and center, but in the background, they are depicted in opposing positions, suggesting that one is the reflection of the other; in a way, one is the other.

The Essence Of Love Defined

‘The Balcony Scene’ takes for its subject one of the most famous confessions of love in the history of art. Before this fateful meeting, Romeo is lovesick and Juliet has seized control of her own life after being promised in marriage to someone she does not love. This painting seeks to capture the fervor and breathlessness of love at first sight, and communicate the enchantment of Romeo and Juliet’s love.

This is probably the most significant piece in the collection, as it illuminates the fundamental dynamic upon which their relationship is based. In this context, their relationship is either renewed and rebalanced, or if it was previously off-kilter, it now finds a path to a renewed balance.

For Romeo to genuinely love Juliet, he must see her as an extension of himself and thus care for her as he would for himself.

This concept holds true for Juliet as well. This mutual understanding and appreciation is, in essence, the beating heart of their love. In the painting, Romeo and Juliet’s faces are front and center, but in the background, they are depicted in opposing positions, suggesting that one is the reflection of the other; in a way, one is the other.

The fluid delicacy of the watercolour brushstrokes contrast the bold strokes of ink, evoking the emotional whirlwind that etches an indelible mark on the hearts of the lovers and observers alike. The faces of Romeo and Juliet seamlessly meld into one another as they confess their love. A touch of crimson infuses the piece with the first bloom of their passion. This tribute to eternal love is an indispensable treasure for art connoisseurs and devotees of Shakespeare’s narrative and casts a romantic veil over any space it inhabits.