Dante and Beatrice 1919

Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale made this painting of Dante and Beatrice with watercolor, and it's all about creating a specific mood, a certain kind of historical romanticism. I'm really drawn to how the figures are arranged on this grand staircase. It’s like they’re caught in a moment of transition, a kind of procession, and there’s something very dreamlike about that. The palette is muted, with soft greens, reds, and golds that give a sense of antiquity, like it’s faded with time. The paint is applied thinly, creating delicate washes of color, particularly in the robes and dresses of the figures. It’s almost as if you can feel the grain of the paper beneath. The artist’s attention to detail is amazing, and it makes you wonder about the stories that these figures carry with them. It reminds me a little bit of Edward Burne-Jones in its atmosphere and subject matter. But, of course, everyone has their own language, and Brickdale's feels very personal. Ultimately, this painting is all about feeling your way through history and love, one step at a time.