Transcript Dante Gabiel Rossetti’s La Pia

Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s
La Pia
Backround
•
“Based on the story of the Lady of Siena as told in Dante’s purgatorio (V. 130-136), the
painting bears within itself an oblique allusion to the relations between Jane Morris, her
husband William, and their close friend DGR, Jane sat for this portrait of la Pia who was
imprisoned and murdered by her husband in 1295 in a castle in Maremma. Dante Gabriel
Rossetti’s passion for Mrs. Morris was at a peak of intensity when the painting was begun in
1867-1868.”
• “He fell in love again, this time in Oxford in 1857, with the stunningly
beautiful Jane Burden, then only 17 years old. She modeled for La Pia de'
Tolomei and Rossetti, despite his best endeavors, found himself helplessly
drawn to her. She did not return his feelings and married William Morris
instead. Rossetti loved her from a distance for the rest of his life and
painted her likeness again and again in his later years. Jane, more even
than Lizzie, became the archetypal Pre-Raphaelite beauty, with her strong
sensual face and masses of long flowing hair. They remained good and
close friends long after her love for William Morris evaporated (and his for
her).” http://www.artchive.com/artchive/R/rossetti.html
Pre-Raphealite Characteristics in La
Pia
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Dramatization of extreme situations for the sake of HEIGHTENED SENSATIONS, as in
melodrama.
•
NATURAL SUPERNATURALISM. According to Lang, the attempt to reject the philosophic
dualism traditional in western civilization and unite the world of nature with the world of
•
spirit, connect body and soul, real and ideal… It is reflected in the painting by a tendency
toward symbolism or symbolic atmospheres and often by the choice of spiritual or religious
subjects. It is reflected in the poetry by a similar TENDENCY TOWARD SYMBOLS WHICH
ARE OFTEN MYSTERIOUS AND IMPLY SOME ASSOCIATION WITH THE
SUPERNATURAL.
DELIBERATE MEDIEVALISM in the choice of subjects and settings in both painting and
poetry, though classical settings also remain popular.
Drawing a few connections: The Choice of La Pia, reflects the medievalist tendency. The
women in the painting is drawn with realistic proportions and features, but has something of
idealization about her. The hair is accentuated with the use of light. An aura seems to emanate
from her. The scene, which lacks any dramatic elements, retains a sense of urgency, drama
and perhaps even tragedy through the posture of La Pia, the awkward position of the hands
and the use of darkness which symbolizes a kind of gloom.
Idealization of Woman
• Glenn Everett Describes how Rossetti Changed the conception
of feminine beauty during the Victorian Era:
• Feminine Beauty becomes the “tall thin, long-necked, longhaired stunners of frail health that we see in paintings.”
Collection At the Harry Ransom
Center
• A small collection of
drawings in charcoal, pastel
and colored chalk includes
studies for Rossetti's Lady
Lilith, La Pia, Mary
Magdalene and Dante's
Dream at the Death of
Beatrice.
• Dante Gabriel Rossetti. La
Pia. Ca. 1870 75.
Pastel on paper.
38 x 30" (96.5 x 76.2 cm).