Description
La Donna della Finestra, or The Woman at the Window, is an iconic painting by British artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The work, which measures 101 x 74 cm, was created in 1870 and depicts a beautiful young woman leaning out of a window, surrounded by lush vegetation.
Rossetti's artistic style, known as the Pre-Raphaelite movement, is characterized by attention to detail and idealized beauty. In La Donna della Finestra, this is seen in the delicacy of the woman's facial features and in the painstaking rendering of the leaves and flowers that surround her.
The composition of the painting is also interesting, as the woman occupies most of the space in the work, but her figure is framed by the window and the surrounding vegetation. This creates a feeling of intimacy and isolation, as if the woman is in her own world.
Color is also a prominent aspect of La Donna della Finestra. The green and blue tones of the vegetation contrast with the woman's deep red dress, creating a striking visual effect. Furthermore, the use of light and shadow in the work creates a sense of depth and realism.
The history of the painting is also fascinating. The woman portrayed in La Donna della Finestra is believed to be Jane Morris, the wife of Rossetti's partner in the Pre-Raphaelite movement, William Morris. The relationship between Rossetti and Jane Morris was complicated and passionate, and this is reflected in the intensity of the painting.
Little-known aspects of La Donna della Finestra include the fact that the work was originally purchased by American art collector William Graham, and that it was sold at auction in 1886 for the record sum of £4,200.
In short, La Donna della Finestra is a stunning work of art that stands out for its detailed artistic style, striking composition, use of color, and fascinating history.