Dante Gabriel Rossetti

United Kingdom 1828 - 1882
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a pivotal figure in the history of British art, was born on May 12, 1828, and passed away on April 9, 1882. A multi-talented artist, he is best known as one of the founders and leading lights of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood—a movement that revolutionized Victorian painting by advocating a return to the intense colors, intricate details, and moral integrity found in Italian art before Raphael. Rossetti's early life was steeped in literature and the arts; his father, Gabriele Rossetti, was an Italian poet and political exile who instilled in him a deep appreciation for Dante Alighieri's works, from whom he derived part of his name. He began his artistic journey at the Royal Academy Schools but soon developed a unique style that rejected academic convention. Alongside fellow artists John Everett Millais and William Holman Hunt, Rossetti sought to create imagery that was both spiritually and aesthetically pure, emphasizing naturalism and symbolism over the artificiality prevalent in mainstream art. Rossetti's contributions spanned across poetry and illustration, but it was his paintings that truly distinguished him. His subjects often included mythological themes, biblical narratives, and most notably, portraits of strikingly beautiful women with symbolic attributes. These figures, portrayed with rich hues and meticulous attention to detail, are often imbued with a sense of introspection and sensuality that defied the moral strictures of the time. Notable works like "Beata Beatrix" (1864-70) exemplify his fascination with Dante's poetry and his lover Elizabeth Siddal's ethereal beauty. In addition to his oil paintings, Rossetti excelled in watercolors and drawings, many of which were illustrations for poems or literary works. His later career saw a shift towards more allegorical and mystical subjects, reflecting a deeper interest in medieval and Renaissance art. The sumptuous visual language he developed would profoundly influence the aesthetic movement and subsequent Symbolist painters. Despite personal struggles, including the tragic death of Elizabeth Siddal and periods of creative stagnation, Rossetti's impact on the trajectory of British art remains profound. His exploration of the interplay between text and image, his innovative use of color, and his devotion to the expression of complex emotions have cemented his reputation as a trailblazer in the world of Victorian and modern art.

Collection of Works(Page 1)

A study of Mrs Frederick Leyland, bust-length, for 'Monna Rosa',Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Sketch,Sketch, 1girl
A study of Mrs Frederick Leyland, bust-length, for 'Monna Rosa'
Resolution: 2764 × 3200 px
Design for Old Testament Window,Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Fresco,Fresco, fine art parody, book, multiple girls
Design for Old Testament Window
Resolution: 2805 × 3605 px
A Vision of Fiammetta,Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, 1girl, branch, brown hair, solo
A Vision of Fiammetta
Resolution: 3496 × 5605 px
Dante's Dream (Io sono in pace),Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, flower, 1boy, hand fan
Dante's Dream (Io sono in pace)
Resolution: 2747 × 3320 px
Elizabeth Siddal (Mrs. Dante Gabriel Rossetti),Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Sketch,Sketch, solo, monochrome, 1boy
Elizabeth Siddal (Mrs. Dante Gabriel Rossetti)
Resolution: 1284 × 3000 px
Full-length Portrait of a Woman,Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Sketch,Sketch, 1girl, solo, monochrome, dress, hat
Full-length Portrait of a Woman
Resolution: 2157 × 3000 px
Alexa Wilding,Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Sketch,Sketch, 1girl, solo, long hair, dress, traditional media
Alexa Wilding
Resolution: 3136 × 5478 px
Desdemona's Death Song - Drapery Study,Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Sketch,Sketch, 1girl, solo, monochrome
Desdemona's Death Song - Drapery Study
Resolution: 2421 × 3159 px
Faust; Part 1. Last Scene,Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Sketch,Sketch, multiple girls, wings, monochrome, dress
Faust; Part 1. Last Scene
Resolution: 2648 × 3374 px