Antonio Ermolao Paoletti (Italian, 1834-1912)

This picture depicts Act III, Scene II of The Merchant of Venice. The scene is set at Belmont. Portia's deceased father has set a puzzle for her potential suitors; They must correctly choose between caskets of gold, silver or lead. Reasoning that 'The world is still deceiv'd with ornament', Bassanio chooses the lead casket and to his joy, and hers, discovers Portia's portrait inside and with it her father's blessing.