The Blessed Damozel by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

The Blessed Damozel

The Blessed Damozel" is one of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's most famous poems. It was published in the Pre-Raphaelite journal The Germ in 1850. Rossetti revised the poem twice and republished it four times. The poem is a favorite of many poets and was also the title of a painting by the poet.

The Heaven-bound Woman

It tells of a woman who died and wished to join her lover in Heaven. She is pictured leaning over the edge of Heaven and holds three lilies in her hand. She also wears seven stars in her hair and a robe that is open and unclasped. The poem is a love letter that conveys the love she felt for her lover and a message of hope for the future.

Personal Significance

The Blessed Damozel theme was not only an important theme for DGR's work, but it also had a personal significance for him. This story had personal significance for DGR, which may have inspired him to paint it. He may have had personal associations with the eponymous character, Jane Morris.

A Contrary Image of Heaven

The Blessed Damozel is one of Rossetti's most famous poems and also one of his earliest works. Although the work is highly religious, it is not overtly so. It depicts an image of Heaven contrary to the Christian vision. The woman is contemplative and looking upward, while her earthly lover rests on the forest floor with hands clasped above his head. Rossetti's painting is dark, but it is still well lit.

The Composition of the Poem

The Blessed Damozel was first published in 1850. The poem was written in a dramatic tone and contains 24 stanzas with six lines each. It is a deeply emotional poem, and its tone is both romantic and depressing. Rossetti had previously read Poe's "The Raven" (about mourning loss), which influenced her in her development of the poem. The poem was republished four times and Rossetti revised it again.

The Immanent Light

In other DGR paintings, the light comes from within, and is dispersed to other areas that echo the radiant flesh. Roses are particularly representative of this immanent light. The roses in the background of the blessed damozel are colored in various shades of yellow and gold. Various moments of gold appear throughout the painting, and in the flowers near the lovers' embrace, the power of the light is evoked by the radiance.

A Successful Work

The Blessed Damozel received a large commission from Rossetti. He had already received PS840 from Leyland for a non-appearing picture of the 'Hero'. He thought The Blessed Damozel would outperform the former. In fact, his painting was more expensive. The artist also produced his own frames for it. The Blessed Damozel was a much bigger work. It sold well and was given a medallion frame.

The Heavenly Figure

The Blessed Damozel had a robe of a rich gold color and seven stars on her hair. Her robe did not contain wrought flowers, but was adorned with a white rose that was given to her by Mary. Her hair was yellow like ripe corn, and it flowed down her back. The Blessed Damozel had been there for ten years, but her day was hardly a day.