Gilded Cage (1919). Oil on canvas. 90 x 107. The Gilded Cage is an oil painting by the British artist Evelyn De Morgan, created in 1919. It is a symbolic work that explores the theme of women's oppression and the societal expectations placed upon them. The painting depicts a young woman dressed in a flowing white gown, standing at a window and looking out at a scene outside. The woman's expression is one of sadness and longing, as if she is yearning for something beyond her reach. To the right of the woman, there is a man seated at a table. He seems oblivious to the woman's presence. The title of the painting, The Gilded Cage, is a metaphor for the societal expectations and limitations placed upon women in the late 19th century. Despite the beauty and luxury of her surroundings, the woman in the painting is trapped by the expectations and conventions of her time. De Morgan was known for her interest in spiritual and symbolic themes, and The Gilded Cage is no exception. The painting is executed in a Pre-Raphaelite style, with a focus on detailed and realistic depictions of nature, as well as an emphasis on symbolism and allegory. The overall effect is one of beauty and melancholy, with the woman's sadness and longing serving as a poignant reminder of the limitations placed upon women in the past.