Mariana

Artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti (London, England, 1828 - 1882)

AssociatedAssociated with William Shakespeare (Stratford-upon-Avon, England, 1564 - 1616)

Sitter Jane Morris (Oxford, England, 1839 - 1914)

Date1870

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

Dimensions109.8 x 90.5cm
Frame Size: 145 x 126 x 8.5cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1921.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationOn Display - Gallery 18

Object numberABDAG002900

Keywords

About MeThe subject of the painting is taken from Shakespeare's play, 'Measure for Measure'. Mariana, a minor character, was also the subject of a poem by Tennyson. Rossetti's Mariana is lost in reverie - she has been rejected by her fiancé, Angelo, because her dowry was lost in a shipwreck. Her introspective gaze conveys her detached longing, giving no hint of the eventual re-union with her lover.

Rossetti's model was his lover, Jane Morris, who was married to the artist and designer, William Morris. Jane was herself a talented embroideress. She appears in a number of pictures by Rossetti at this time. The subject had a particular significance for Rossetti and his sitter, as it reflected their own predicament. His romantic attachment to Janey was particularly strong around this time and despite his involvement with other women, Janey's unusual beauty continued to obsess him.

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More About Me

Collections Wall

Mariana looks melancholy and thoughtful in this portrait, and with just cause, as she has just been rejected by her fiancé because her dowry was lost in a shipwreck.

Exhibitions

Gallery 18 - People & Portraits