Design for Old Testament Window

Art Historical Context

Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s “Design for Old Testament Window,” created around 1870, reflects the artist’s deep interest in biblical narratives and medieval-inspired imagery. A leading figure of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, Rossetti frequently explored religious themes with rich symbolism and intricate detail, often producing designs for stained-glass windows and decorative arts that blended spirituality with aesthetic beauty. Executed in watercolor and pen-and-black ink on a sheet measuring about 16 by 13 inches, this preparatory drawing features angels and male figures arranged within architectural frames, suggesting a window design intended for a church or similar setting. Such works highlight the 19th-century revival of Gothic styles, where artists like Rossetti contributed to ecclesiastical commissions that merged fine art with functional ornament. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Drawings and Prints collection, the piece reveals Rossetti’s skillful layering of translucent color and precise line work. It offers visitors a glimpse into the collaborative process behind Victorian-era religious art, where drawings served as blueprints for larger, luminous installations.

About the Artist

Dante Gabriel Rossetti · 1828–1882

British artist. Comment on works: Allegory