Beata Beatrix

Beata Beatrix is a painting completed in several different versions by pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The painting, while modeled after the painter's own wife,  depicts Beatrice Portinari from Dante Alighieri's 1294 poem, La Vita Nuova. Beatrice was also the famous character from the infamous Divine Comedy, the love of Dante's life who helped him reach Paradiso, or heaven. This first version is an oil on canvas completed in 1870.

I love the posture of prayer Beatrice has in this painting, with her hands open to receive the gifts the Holy Spirit is waiting to bestow upon her. In a letter to his friend William Morris, Rossetti wrote that he intended the painting "not as a representation of the incident of the death of Beatrice, but as an ideal of the subject, symbolized by a trance or sudden spiritual transfiguration."

Beata Beatrix would make a beautiful addition to your home, most especially in a personal prayer space, to remind us of the posture of openness we should strive for in prayer. I also love giving her as a gift to young women on their Confirmation or to those newly initiated into the faith in adulthood. 

Available as a Giclee printed on heavyweight velvet vellum paper, or on a stretch canvas in 8x10 or 11x14 sizes.

These are custom printed. Please allow 2 weeks for shipping.