This article section discusses Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s painting titled “Astarte Syriaca,” which was painted in 1877. The painting is a sensual and elaborate Pre-Raphaelite portrait of the goddess Venus. The model for the painting was Jane Morris, who was the wife of William Morris, an artist in his own right.
The painting features Venus with long, wavy hair that flows on her back. She has one of her legs placed forward and is holding an ornate floral metal strap with her left hand under her chest. This oil on canvas artwork has dimensions of 106.7 x 183 cm and is currently located at the Manchester Art Gallery in Manchester, UK.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti was a painter, poet, illustrator, and one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He aimed to create art that had a naturalistic approach to detail and used subject matter from history, myths or legends that focused on beauty as opposed to industrialization.
Overall, “Astarte Syriaca” exemplifies Rossetti’s artistic pursuits during his time as a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Movement by showcasing Venus as a symbol of beauty and sensuality through intricate details such as flowing hair and ornate props like an elaborately designed floral metal strap.
