Saint Lily [Sancta Lilias] (by Gabriel Rossetti) Tile

This design features a painting by the founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882). The painting is a half-length portrait of a serene, idealised female figure, embodying purity and spiritual grace, which is suggested by the title, "Sancta Lilias" [Saint Lily]. The central figure holds a bouquet of yellow lilies, which, unlike the traditional white lilies associated with purity, may symbolise the Virgin Mary, devotion or even the idea of resurrection and new beginnings. The yellow lilies are intricately rendered, drawing the viewer's eye to their soft vibrant colour. The woman’s expression is tranquil, her features soft and delicate, exuding an aura of contemplation and inner peace. Her red hair, a common motif in Rossetti’s work, cascades around her shoulders, providing a striking contrast to her pale, luminous skin. Draped in flowing, richly textured robes of gold, the figure's clothing enhances her ethereal, almost divine presence. "Sancta Lilias" reflects Rossetti’s deep fascination with purity, spirituality and the divine feminine, themes central to the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's artistic mission. Rossetti not only celebrates the ideal of feminine beauty but also explores spirituality through his use of symbolic imagery. The original artwork was painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1874.