Dante Gabriel Rossetti Quotes

A collection of quotes by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) was an English poet, painter, and translator, best known for being a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Born in London, he was the son of Italian political exile Gabriele Rossetti and English-Italian mother Frances Polidori. Rossetti initially studied at King's College School and went on to attend the Royal Academy Schools, where he focused on painting.

In 1848, Rossetti formed the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood with like-minded artists, including his close friends John Everett Millais and William Holman Hunt. The group aimed to challenge the prevailing artistic conventions of their time and emphasized attention to detail, vibrant colors, and complex symbolism. Rossetti's artwork often depicted medieval themes, literary subjects, and intense sensuality, showcasing his distinctive style.

Despite his success as a painter, Rossetti also had a significant impact as a poet. He published several collections of poetry, such as "The House of Life" and "Ballads and Sonnets," cementing his reputation as a leading figure in the Victorian poetry movement. His poetry shared the same vivid imagery and exploration of love, death, and spirituality that were prevalent in his art.

Rossetti had tumultuous relationships and a complex personal life, which included entanglements with his models and long-term affairs, most notably with Elizabeth Siddal, who tragically died from an overdose. These personal experiences heavily influenced his work, contributing to its emotional intensity and introspection.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti remains a significant figure in the history of art and literature, remembered for his poetic and artistic achievements, as well as his role in the Pre-Raphaelite movement.