Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s artwork titled “Study of Guinevere for Sir Lancelot in the Queen’s Chamber” dates back to 1857 and is classified within the Romanticism movement as a sketch and study. This artwork serves as a preparatory work for a larger project, capturing the essence of the character Guinevere, who is a central figure in the Arthurian legends.
The sketch portrays a woman’s head and shoulders in profile. Guinevere is depicted with her head turned to the side, her gaze directed upwards and away, conveying a sense of longing or contemplation. Her eyes are slightly closed, eyebrows gently arched, and her lips are softly parted, enhancing the reflective and dreamy quality of the piece. Her hair is detailed with wavy, flowing locks that add to the romantic style characteristic of Rossetti’s work. The hand raised to her neck and the visible fingers lightly touching her throat contribute to the intimate and delicate atmosphere of the study. The artwork’s monochromatic tones and visible shading techniques highlight Rossetti’s skillful handling of form and light, encapsulating the emotional depth often sought after in the Romantic artistic tradition.
