Lady Lilith (Original)
Item
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Title
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Lady Lilith (Original)
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Rights
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The Delaware Art Museum, Fair Use.
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Creator
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Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)
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Date
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1866-1868 (altered 1872-1873)
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Description
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This was the original "Lady Lilith" completed by Rossetti, depicting a Victorian interpretation of the mythological figure Lilith in the same provocative style and background as the original painting. Lilith is shown with red hair and bare shoulders, gazing vainly at her reflection and combing her hair. The frame bears the title "Lady Lilith" and Rossetti's sonnet titled "My Lady Lilith" is inscribed:
"Of Adam's first wife, Lilith, it is told
(The witch he loved before the gift of Eve,)/
That, ere the snake's, her sweet tongue could deceive/
And her enchanted hair was the first gold/
And still she sits, young while the earth is old/
And, subtly of herself contemplative/
Draws men to watch the bright web she can weave/
Till heart and body and life are in its hold/
The rose and poppy are her flowers; for where/
Is he not found, O Lilith, whom shed scent/
And soft-shed kisses and soft sleep shall snare?/
Lo! as that youth's eyes burned at thine, so went/
Thy spell through him, and left his straight neck bent/
And round his heart one strangling golden hair."
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Format
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Painting. Oil on canvas. 53 1/4 in × 48 in.
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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The Delaware Art Museum.
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Contributor
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Shaelyn Fett
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Identifier
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1935-29.
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Subject
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Lady Lilith; Original; Dante Gabriel Rossetti; 19th century; Lilith; Mirror; Red Hair; Vanity.
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Source
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Jpeg file. Unknown photographer. The Delaware Art Museum Digital Collection. Accessed 10/12/2023. https://emuseum.delart.org/objects/6457/lady-lilith#.
Lady Lilith (Original)