The Blessed Damozel 1871 - 1878

Editor: Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s *The Blessed Damozel*, at the Harvard Art Museums, is quite striking. I’m immediately drawn to the somber mood and the repetition of figures. What symbols stand out to you in this work? Curator: The lilies, for instance, are ancient symbols of purity and resurrection. Rossetti uses them to imply the Damozel’s innocence but also her hope for reunion. The stars in her hair evoke a celestial crown, hinting at heavenly status. Do you notice how that imagery contrasts with the scene of earthly mourning below? Editor: I see it now, the contrast emphasizes her detachment from earthly suffering. It's fascinating how these symbols create layers of meaning. Curator: Indeed. Rossetti invites us to contemplate the emotional weight of absence and the enduring power of hope, channeled through culturally resonant symbols.