Description
The painting "Ecce Ancilla Domini!" by Dante Gabriel Rossetti is a masterpiece of Victorian art featuring a complex and detailed composition. The title of the work, which means "Behold the handmaid of the Lord", refers to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary in the New Testament.
The painting shows the Virgin Mary sitting in a garden surrounded by flowers, while an angel appears to her to announce that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus. The figure of Mary is represented with an idealized beauty, with a serene and delicate face, and a blue tunic that envelops her in an atmosphere of purity and holiness.
Rossetti's artistic style is characterized by his obsession with beauty, sensuality and formal perfection. In "Ecce Ancilla Domini!", this is reflected in the artist's meticulous attention to detail, such as flowers, jewelry, and the folds of clothing.
Color also plays an important role in the work, with a rich and vibrant palette that includes shades of blue, green, red, and gold. The light, which radiates from the angel, creates a luminous effect that highlights the figure of Mary and gives it a supernatural air.
The history of the painting is interesting, as it was commissioned by art collector and patron John Ruskin, who was so impressed by the work that he immediately purchased it. However, after a while, Ruskin regretted his purchase and returned it to the artist. Rossetti, rather than sell it again, kept it in his personal collection until his death.
As for little-known aspects, it is said that Rossetti used his wife, Elizabeth Siddal, as a model for the figure of Maria. Siddal was an artist and poet in her own right, and her beauty and mystery have become legend in Victorian art history.
In short, "Ecce Ancilla Domini!" it is a fascinating work of art that combines beauty, formal perfection and spirituality in an exquisite and detailed composition. It is a sample of the talent and sensitivity of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the great masters of Victorian art.