Veronica Veronese

Date1872

Artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti (British Pre-Raphaelite painter, 1828–1882)

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions43 × 35 in. (109.2 × 88.9 cm)
frame: 58 × 49 3/4 in. (147.3 × 126.4 cm)

Credit LineSamuel and Mary R. Bancroft Memorial, 1935

Object number1935-28

On View

On view

Collections

Pre-Raphaelites on View

ClassificationsPAINTING

Label TextThis painting is not “about” anything, but serves as a reflection on the process of the composition of music. The intent is aesthetic rather than narrative. It is essentially a study in rich greens and velvety textures.

The accompanying lines inscribed on the frame are of little help with regard to subject matter. However, they do provide an element of exotic fantasy:

“Suddenly leaning forward, the Lady Veronica rapidly wrote the first notes on the virgin page. Then she took the bow of the violin to make her dream reality; but before commencing to play the instrument hanging from her hand, she remained quiet a few moments, listening to the inspiring bird, while her left hand strayed over the strings searching for the supreme melody, still elusive. It was the marriage of the voices of nature and the soul—the dawn of a mystic creation.”