“The Lady of Pity” is an oil-on-canvas painting created in 1881 by the Romantic artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The artwork measures 97 x 87 cm and is classified under the genre of literary painting. It is currently housed in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in Birmingham, UK.
The artwork features a half-length portrait of a woman set against a warm, amber-colored background. Her expressive visage is rendered with characteristic Romanticism attributes, displaying a deeply contemplative demeanor. The woman’s hair is dark and voluminous, cascading in loose waves down to her shoulders. Key elements, such as her facial expression and the delicate positioning of her hands, reflect attributes of empathy and thoughtfulness, which align with the title “The Lady of Pity”. The composition remains relatively minimalistic, drawing the viewer’s attention directly to her solemn yet tender countenance. The unfinished background creates a stark contrast, possibly symbolizing an abstract or incomplete narrative surrounding the central figure.
