Beata Beatrix

Rossetti’s inspiration for this painting was the ‘Vita Nuova’, the Italian poet Dante’s account of his love for Beatrice, and of her premature death. The death of Beatrice is symbolized by a sudden spiritual transfiguration. A bird, a messenger of death, drops a white poppy between her open hands. The shadow of the sundial rests on the figure nine, the number Dante connects mystically with Beatrice and her death. In the background the shadowy figure of Dante himself appears, gazing towards the figure of Love. Rossetti produced this work as a memorial to his late wife Elizabeth Siddal (she was also the model for Millais’ well known Ophelia) who committed suicide.