Lady Lilith

Art Historical Context

Lady Lilith, painted in 1867 by Dante Gabriel Rossetti with the assistance of Henry Treffry Dunn, is a luminous watercolor and gouache drawing now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Rossetti, a central figure of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, frequently explored mythological and literary subjects through richly symbolic imagery. The medium of watercolor combined with bodycolor allowed the artists to achieve vibrant, jewel-like tones and delicate textures that heighten the work’s intimate, almost jewel-box quality. The composition centers on a woman surrounded by flowers, gazing into a mirror while her abundant hair cascades around her—motifs drawn from the tags of hair, women, flowers, and mirrors. These elements evoke Victorian fascination with beauty, self-reflection, and feminine power. At roughly 20 by 17 inches, the drawing invites close viewing, rewarding visitors with its meticulous detail and atmospheric mood. Acquired by the museum in 1908 through the Rogers Fund, Lady Lilith remains a striking example of how Pre-Raphaelite artists blended literary inspiration with painstaking technique to create works that continue to captivate modern audiences.

About the Artist

Dante Gabriel Rossetti|Henry Treffry Dunn · 1828–1882

British artist. Comment on works: Allegory