Design for Old Testament Window

In this vibrant watercolor, a woman with flowing red hair and a green gown stands bathed in light, holding a scroll or tablet. She is flanked by two smaller figures, one holding a staff and the other a book, all set within an architectural frame. This "Design for Old Testament Window" offers a glimpse into how Rossetti conceived of stained-glass compositions, blending intricate detail with dramatic storytelling. The scene likely depicts a prophetess or an important biblical figure, her posture and the objects she holds suggesting a moment of divine revelation or instruction. Rossetti, a key figure in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, often infused his works with symbolic meaning and a reverence for medieval aesthetics, evident here in the rich colors and the stylized forms. The medium of watercolor and ink allows for both the delicate washes of color and the precise linear details that define the figures and their setting, creating a luminous quality that would translate beautifully into glass.