Transformation of Lilith in the Pre-Raphaelite Art Movement

Lilith is a figure believed to have emerged in Ancient Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C. as a symbol associated with the Mother Goddess cult. Over time, the power of the Mother Goddess cult was transferred to patriarchal customs. Concurrently, Lilith herself has been transformed and demonized over an extended period. This study focuses on the art scene of the 19th century, particularly in Victorian Era Britain, where representations of Lilith underwent significant transformation. Lilith’s etymological origins—from her emergence in Mesopotamia to her presence in Jewish culture—have been examined to properly understand this transformation. In response to the demonization of Lilith, both as a character and as an image, the 19th-century British art world began to adopt a different perspective. This study investigates Victorian-era social norms for women and their reflection in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, concentrating on the Brotherhood’s portrayal of women and the reinterpretation of Lilith in their works.