Portrait of Beatrice

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Exploring the interplay of visuality and representation, this work delves into Dante's and D. G. Rossetti's intellectual journeys. By analyzing Dante's Vita Nova and Rossetti's Hand and Soul, it reveals how both artists create 'imaginary portraits' that reflect the tension between word and image. The concept of Beatrice as an 'imaginary Lady' shifts focus from her existence to her embodiment of a miracle, highlighting the dialogue across centuries and cultures. This examination connects desire, poetry, and art-making from medieval Florence to Victorian London.