The Lady of Shalott, 1888 John William Waterhouse Oil on canvas This painting is based on: The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It illustrates the lines: And down the river’s dim expanse Like some bold seer in a trance, Seeing all his own mischance – With a glassy countenance Did she look to Camelot. And at the closing of the day She loosed the chain, and down she lay; The broad stream bore her far away, The Lady of Shalott.