Madonna Pietra degli Scrovegni

Marie Spartali Stillmann 1843-1927

Watercolour and bodycolour, dated 1884

Accession number WAG 923

Given to the Walker Art Gallery on behalf of subscribers, by Harold Rathbone.

The woman is a character from the Italian poet Dante. She was described as a heartless lady dressed in green. In her hand she holds a crystal bowl reflecting the figures of Love and Dante.

This type of painting, a half length femme fatale in Renaissance costume, was initiated by Rossetti and imitated by many others. The artist of this picture knew Rossetti. She modelled for one of the handmaidens in Rossetti's painting 'Dante's Dream' (Walker Art Gallery)|.