Signs and Symbols
'Beata Beatrix' 1877 by D G Rossetti (1828-1882).
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This painting was inspired by the poem 'Vita Nuova' (new lives) written by a medievel poet called Dante. The poem is about Dante himself and the death of Beatrice, the girl he loved.
In the background is Dante, carrying his book and gazing towards the figure of Love on the left. The figure of Love holds a flickering, weak flame, this is meant to represent Breatrice's fading life.
The subject of the poem was very important to Rossetti. His wife Elizabeth Siddal (the original model for the painting), miscarried a child in 1861 and committed suicide in 1862 - she took a drug overdose.
Symbols Quiz
- What does the dove symbolize in this painting?
a) The begining of peace
b) A messenger of death
c) Freedom
- What does the poppy symbolize here?
a) Passion
b) Death
c) Hope
- What does the sundial represent?
a) The passing of seasons
b) Winter
c) The passing of time
- Why is Beatrice's tunic green and the dress purple?
a) Green for life, purple for sorrow
b) Green for nature, purple for richness
c) Green for death, purple for happiness
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