The artwork “Paolo And Francesca Da Rimini,” created by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1855, is a watercolor representation of the Symbolism art movement. Measuring 44 x 25 cm, this literary painting is housed in the Tate Modern in London, UK. The piece encapsulates themes drawn from literature, expressing them through rich symbolism and romantic imagery.
The artwork is divided into three panels, each depicting a different scene. The left panel shows Paolo and Francesca, in medieval attire, passionately engrossed in a kiss, symbolizing forbidden love. They are seated near an arched window with an open book beside them, suggesting their shared intellectual connection. In the central panel, their ghostly figures sadly hold hands as they are observed by Dante and Virgil, who appear distressed by their plight. The final panel portrays Paolo and Francesca entwined in an eternal embrace, drifting through a sea of flames, symbolizing their torment in Hell as depicted in Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy.” The use of warm, earthy tones and dramatic contrasts emphasizes the tragic romance and eternal suffering of the lovers, characteristic of Rossetti’s symbolic and poetic style.
