Faust: Part 1. Last Scene

Faust: Part 1. Last Scene by Dante Gabriel Rossetti is an intense early drawing executed between 1846 and 1848, a period foundational to the artist’s Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic. Classified as a drawing, this piece utilizes pen and brown ink and brush and brown wash, meticulously applied over underlying graphite sketching on tan paper. The sophisticated use of sepia tones creates a dramatic, emotionally heightened atmosphere suitable for the tragic source material.

The work depicts the climactic final moments of Part I of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s epic tragedy, Faust. Rossetti, then a young artist deeply influenced by intense literary subjects, focuses on the prison scene where Gretchen confronts her imminent death after being driven mad by her relationship with Faust. Among the figures, Gretchen represents the central character among the women, portrayed here in anguish and spiritual conflict.

The composition is heavy with symbolic weight, illustrating the battle for Gretchen’s immortal soul. The malevolent presence of the Devil (Mephistopheles) is strongly felt, lurking in the shadows and representing the forces of damnation. Counterbalancing this darkness, a celestial choir of Angels awaits her redemption, promising salvation. This piece clearly demonstrates Rossetti’s developing commitment to detailed literary illustration, preceding the formal formation of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. This significant academic drawing resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age, high-resolution prints of the work are frequently available through public domain resources, allowing global access to this pivotal Rossetti drawing.