“Aggie,” created in 1862 by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, exemplifies the Romanticism art movement. This portrait, executed with pen on paper, is housed in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in Birmingham, UK.
The artwork depicts a profile view of a woman, presenting a serene and contemplative expression. Her hair cascades in soft waves down her back, and she is adorned with earrings and a cloak fastened with a decorative clasp at the shoulder. The fine lines and shading of the pen work emphasize the delicate features and intricacy of the subject’s appearance, conveying a harmonious blend of realism and idealization characteristic of Romanticism. The simplicity of the medium amplifies the focus on the subject’s soulful expression and the gentle texture of her attire, encapsulating a moment of quiet dignity and introspection.
