“Lady Lilith” Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1828 - 1882 English poet, painter, translator Preferred mythological subjects Born Gabriel Charles Dante Rossetti Obsessed with wombats During this time, Rossetti acquired an obsession for exotic animals, and in particular wombats. He would frequently ask friends to meet him at the "Wombat's Lair" at the London Zoo in Regent's Park, and would spend hours there himself. Finally, in September 1869, he was to acquire the first of two pet wombats. This shortlived wombat, named "Top", was often brought to the dinner table and allowed to sleep in the large centrepiece of the dinner table during meals. Indeed, this is said to have inspired the dormouse from Lewis Caroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [1].

Model: Jane Burden mistress of Rossetti, but married to William Morris had a poor childhood and no education, but was discovered by Rossetti and asked to model was very intelligent and became self-educated after her engagement I think she modeled for Lilith Empowered, modern woman – much like Sarah

Origins of Lilith Story “Lilith” in the Old Testament refers to a screech owl or a demon. The idea of Lilith as the first wife of Adam arose in the Middle Ages Support in Biblical Text: Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" – before the description of Eve’s creation in Gen. 2:22 Story of Lilith became widely known in 17th century with the publication of the Lexicon Talmudicon Prior to middle ages – generic demon Lilith story: first wife of Adam, refused to “lie beneath” him/submit, left the Garden of Eden of her own accord Created lilin, demonic children, which prey upon humans and are similar to succubuses

Body’s Beauty Sonnet LXXVIII, from The House of Life OF Adam's first wife, Lilith, it is told       (The witch he loved before the gift of Eve,)       That, ere the snake's, her sweet tongue could deceive, And her enchanted hair was the first gold. And still she sits, young while the earth is old,       And, subtly of herself contemplative,       Draws men to watch the bright net she can weave, Till heart and body and life are in its hold. The rose and poppy are her flowers; for where       Is he not found, O Lilith, whom shed scent And soft-shed kisses and soft sleep shall snare?       Lo! as that youth's eyes burned at thine, so went       Thy spell through him, and left his straight neck bent, And round his heart one strangling golden hair. The House of Life is a connection of sonnets, considered Rossetti’s best works

Harry Ransom Center Holding Study for oil painting Lilith is clearly a man, but I am comforted by two things: the fact that this is only a study for the final oil painting, and the fact that this is not actually the ugliest Lilith available Lilith, 1867 Colored chalk on paper. 28 x 24” (71.1 x 61cm).

Another Lilith Lady Lilith, 1867 Watercolor and gouache on paper; Slightly less unattractive Lady Lilith, 1867 Watercolor and gouache on paper; 20 3/16 X 17 5/16 in. (51.3 x 44 cm) Rogers Fund, 1908 (08.162.1)

The Final Painting Lady Lilith, 1868-1873 Oil on canvas Finally, a non-ugly Lilith Lady Lilith, 1868-1873 Oil on canvas 38 x 33 1/2 inches. Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, Delaware

Significance Lilith represents the “body’s beauty” Sensual woman painted brushing her hair, not wearing a corset Surrounded by flowers Conscious of her own beauty and power to control others Paradox: Lilith is both a highly sexualized object and an empowered woman Lilith represents the “body’s beauty” as opposed to spiritual beauty, which Rossetti also painted Sensual woman painted brushing her hair, not wearing a corset Surrounded by flowers Conscious of her own beauty and power to control others Paradox: Lilith is both a highly sexualized object and an empowered woman Hair is also interesting because of relation to French Lieutenant's woman Sarah is also a paradox

Works Cited The Collected Works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Ed. By William M. Rossetti. Ellis and Scrutton: London, 1886. “The Beauty as Power in Rossetti’s Lady Lilith.” http://www.victorianweb.org/painting/dgr/paintings/may4.html “The Paradox of Lady Lilith.” http://www.victorianweb.org/painting/dgr/paintings/4.html Wikipedia contributors, "Jane Burden," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jane_Burden&oldid=40278234 (accessed February 28, 2006).