Beatrice

by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

The gaze of Beatrice is an inward gaze.  She is in a state of repose detached from her body. The Scene is divided by a small wall, in which there is a sundial.  Maybe this represents that her heart has become like the sun, eternally blazing with a powerful, mystical love, as she turns her palms upwards offering her life and her love to God's grace.  There is a bird flying toward her invisible offering.  A red bird, the color of passion and love.  He is coming to take her soul into the eternal Spirit of God.  In the far background is the bridge crossing the River Arno where Dante clutched his own heart at the sight of her.  Another figure holds fire in his hand, as Dante walks towards her.

All these images were only symbols of her life leading her to this mystical union.  The message of this painting is that heaven is within our own hearts when we finally die in love.

~C

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