The Music
English composer Henry Purcell (1659  1695) wrote the music for librettist John Dryden’s semi-opera King Arthur, or The Worthy Britons which premiered in London during 1691.  It was described as a “dramatick opera”, meaning that the principle characters do not sing unless they are supernatural, pastoral or drunk!
The aria “What power art thou?” sung by the Cold Genius in the “Frost Scene” has always been considered as one of Purcell’s finest achievements.

The Painting
Although when performed on stage this aria is often sung for comic effect, I found myself unable to disregard its melancholic tone.  However, although the figure is a rather sombre one, he holds an arrow in his hand, representing the “power” which has awoken him; namely Cupid, the god of love.