Mariana in the South (Illustration for "The Palace of Art" in Tennyson's Poems, New York, 1903)

Mariana in the South (Illustration for "The Palace of Art" in Tennyson's Poems, New York, 1903) is a powerful wood engraving created by the celebrated Pre-Raphaelite master Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Although the original illustrative design was conceived around 1857, this specific print represents the finalized version published almost five decades later for an edition of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poems. This early foray into book illustration was crucial to Rossetti's career and aligns with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's dedication to integrating fine art with literary production and design.

The work focuses intensely on the isolated figure of the woman, Mariana, translating the melancholy inherent in Tennyson's poetry into a claustrophobic visual space. Rossetti employs heavy cross-hatching, typical of the wood engraving medium, to create a mood of deep shadow and introspection. Symbolism abounds within the tight frame; the large, elaborate cross placed behind the figure emphasizes spiritual struggle and religious contemplation. Furthermore, the inclusion of polished mirrors suggests a preoccupation with self-reflection and the fragmented nature of her perception.

As an important surviving example of Victorian illustrative prints, this work demonstrates Rossetti’s mastery of graphic design and narrative detail, despite the technical constraints of wood engraving. It is a critical example of how Pre-Raphaelite artists interpreted contemporary literature. This enduring piece of Pre-Raphaelite art is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.