The Beloved – Study for the Black Girl 

This is a preparatory pencil drawing by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a study for his painting ‘The Beloved’. The subject's gaze is a key element here. The direct, almost confrontational, look is reminiscent of ancient portraiture, a common visual strategy to convey the subject's character and assert their presence. Consider the Fayum mummy portraits from Roman Egypt, where the subject’s eyes follow you, creating an uncanny sense of connection. This penetrating gaze appears through different times, reflecting a universal desire to capture the essence of an individual. The drawing presents an idealized representation of beauty, reflecting a collective yearning for aesthetic perfection. This symbol transcends time and space, embodying the power of memory and emotion in art.