Lady Lilith

Lady Lilith by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, executed in 1867, is a significant drawing completed using watercolor and opaque gouache, sometimes called bodycolor, highlighting the artist's mastery of detailed draughtsmanship. This work embodies the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood’s fascination with mythic, often dangerous, female figures, portraying Lilith, the legendary first wife of Adam.

The composition is dominated by the figure of the woman, who is intensely focused on her sensual grooming ritual. Rossetti paid meticulous attention to the physical details, particularly the cascade of voluminous blonde hair, which fills the upper portion of the drawing and acts almost as a separate entity within the frame. She is shown actively brushing her hair, a gesture that suggests a dangerous, self-absorbed vanity. A variety of symbolic flowers, including white lilies and roses, surround her, contributing to the rich, claustrophobic atmosphere typical of Rossetti's aesthetic. The presence of a small mirror reflects light onto the figure’s face, underscoring the theme of self-absorption inherent in the mythological narrative.

Though classified primarily as a drawing, the skillful use of dense bodycolor provides the piece with the textural complexity usually associated with an oil painting. Rossetti often used preparatory sketches or scaled-down versions, and this 1867 work served as an initial concept for the eventual larger oil version. This compelling depiction of beauty and latent danger is an important part of Rossetti's oeuvre and currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Given its cultural significance, high-quality prints of this masterwork are frequently encountered, many of which are now accessible through the public domain.