The artwork titled “Mariana” was created by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1870. Executed in oil on canvas, this portrait is a notable work of the Romanticism art movement. The dimensions of the piece are 110.5 x 90.2 cm, and it is housed at the Aberdeen Art Gallery in Aberdeen, UK.
In this evocative and richly detailed portrait, the artist employs a vivid palette to bring forward the melancholic and pensive mood of the subject, Mariana. The woman, depicted in a sumptuous blue gown, is adorned with intricate accessories, enhancing the opulence of the scene. The background is dark, bringing the subject into sharp focus, while a second figure, positioned behind Mariana, appears to be playing a musical instrument, adding to the layered narrative of the artwork. The intricate details of the fabric and the delicate interplay of light and shadow exemplify Rossetti’s mastery in capturing both the emotional depth and the aesthetic elegance characteristic of Romanticism.
