The artwork titled “Paolo and Francesca,” created by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1855, belongs to the Romanticism art movement and is classified as a literary painting. It is currently housed in the British Museum, London, UK. The artwork captures a tender and intimate moment between two figures, depicted in a soft, yet detailed style characteristic of the Romanticism era.
In the artwork, the subjects, Paolo and Francesca, are depicted seated closely together in an intimate embrace, sharing a tender kiss. The window behind them, ornately detailed with gothic tracery, emphasizes the poignancy and timelessness of their love. Set in a somber monochrome palette, Rossetti’s delicate pencil strokes bring to life the emotional depth and literary narrative from which the subjects are drawn, likely referencing Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy.” The figures’ garments and posture, along with their expression of affection, strongly convey the themes of romantic tragedy and eternal love.
