Author Jack Challem emailed me several days ago. You may remember that Mr. Challem has been kind enough to share priceless info with me before, namely an article about Elizabeth Siddal and Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s handwriting, an image of their marriage certificate, and photos of Lizzie Siddal’s grave.

Once again, I am grateful that he has shared with us a wonderful image! He writes:

Hi Stephanie,

We returned from England about a week ago. We walked by Rossetti’s
house in Chelsea a couple of times. At the Tate Britain, Edward
Burne-Jones’s “Author in Avalon” was on display. It’s a magnificent
painting. More info at these two sites

Pre-Raphaelite Painting of Arthur returns -temporarily- to Britain

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/04/17/bapreraph117.xml

We drove out to Kelmscott Manor, where Jane Morris lived. The
highlights included an oil painting of Janey by DGR, chalk drawings of
her daughters (again by DGR), and at least a dozen pencil
illustrations by Burne-Jones.

Attached is a photo of the entrance to Kelmscott Manor that you’re
welcome to post, if you wish.

My best,
Jack

Kelmscott Manor

Kelmscott Manor @ Wikipedia

William Morris Society info on Kelmscott Manor

Kelmscott Manor on AboutBritain.com

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My creative twelve year old daughter decided that she wants to plant a “fairy garden”. She recently purchased the collected works of Cicely Mary Barker (June 28, 1895 - February 16, 1973). Most people are familiar with Barker’s Flower Fairies, but in case you are not here is a brief bio with examples of her work. My daughter chose the flowers depicted in her favorites poems and illustrations (her most favorites being Poppies, Foxglove, Columbines, and Hollyhocks).

I have to say, I’m impressed with her idea. And then I thought… what about a Pre-Raphaelite garden? How fun would that be!

What flowers would you choose? Ophelia’s flowers, mentioned in Hamlet and beautifully depicted floating in the water by Millais) would be a great start. As would Acanthus, a favorite of William Morris (thanks to Earthly Paradise!) The ivy scaling the wall behind Rosseti’s Proserpine jumps to my mind also. And the lilies in both The Girlhood of the Mary Virgin and Ecce Ancilla Domini would be lovely!

Hmmm. What else? What flowers would you include if you could plant your very own Pre-Raphaelite garden? Forget climate and planting zones and whatever soil type you may have. What would you plant?

By the way. Want to know what’s growing on my windowsill right now? A pot of Basil!

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Holman Hunt and the Pre-Raphaelite Vision

Free for attendees and will feature Holman Hunt’s three famous Pre-Raphaelite paintings, as well as original documents and costumes used.

Saturday 11 October 2008 - Sunday 11 January 2009

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Destiny, painted by John William Waterhouse

In my previous post (Magic in Pre-Raphaelite and Symbolist Art) a visitor (Hi, Sally!) asked about the model used in Waterhouse’s The Crystal Ball and that stunning red dress.

I love Waterhouse and his image of women.  But I do not know much about the models he used.  So, I encouraged to Sally to visit the fabulous message board at johnwilliamwaterhouse.com.

Ness posted a beautiful answer to my question about both paintings and the red dress. Here’s a tiny excerpt, but I would rather you make your way over and join!

“Destiny is the one print I have here, so far, and is a favorite for several reasons: it shows the important red dress, the beloved round mirror, and the face of a model I am still looking for.

As for the dress: there is something personal in the choice of red dress. It is a choice he made again and again. But why? “

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Prior to the Pre-Raphaelites, magic was represented with dark, negative overtones. (See William Blake’s Hecate, painted in 1795 for an example)

Magic was depicted as very dark, evil. Until the Pre-Raphaelites came upon the scene. Then it was beautiful, mystical. Well, you can see what I mean. (Share your own examples if I missed any)

John William Waterhouse, The Magic Circle (note how intense her face is!)

Morgan Le Fey, painted by Frederick Sandys.
Look at her skirt. Her magical symbols, I think, are Celtic in origin. If anyone has any info on them, please post a comment.

Also by Frederick Sandys, Medea

The Crystal Ball, John WIlliam Waterhouse

Circe Invidiosa, John William Waterhouse

Circe offers the cup to Ulysses, Waterhouse

Natural Magic, be Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale

I notice a difference between Waterhouse’s faces and Sandys’. Sandys’ women have quite dramatic expressions (are their faces distorted by passion? Or evil?) While Waterhouse depicts his magical ladies with calm yet very intense faces.

Do you have any favorite magical Pre-Raphaelite paintings?

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The Baleful Head, painted by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones

Burne Jones depicts Perseus showing Andromeda the head of the slain Medusa.  According to mythology, even looking at the dead Medusa would turn you to stone and she could only be viewed safely through her reflection.

Notice while Andromeda is looking at Medusa, Perseus is gazing steadily at Andromeda.  But at second glance (and I realize you may not be able to see this on your computer screen) it seems as if Andromeda may not be looking at Medusa at all.  Instead, her eyes seem to be looking at the reflection of Perseus.

Elsewhere Online:

From Victorian Web:  The Beautification of Ugliness in Burne-Jones’s Perseus Cycle 

The Baleful Head @ Artmagick

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Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the sellers of these items. Therefore, I can not vouch for the quality of the products.

Here are the latest Pre-Raphaelite items I’ve found on eBay:

The Pre-Raphaelite Camera: Aspects of Victorian Photography

Pre-Raphaelite Drawings in the British Mueum

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I’m enjoying the conversation at The Beautiful Necessity about Rossetti’s The Merciless Lady.  Come join in!

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I’ve just added a fascinating image to LizzieSiddal.com:  Lizzie and Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Marriage Certificate!

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Pre-Raphaelite Related Links, March 15th 2008:

Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page selling giant Pre-Raphaelite ‘Holy Grail’ tapestry

Dante Gabriel Rossetti had a passion. For wombats.

Pre-Raphaelite Caricatures (via The Beautiful Necessity)

Decorating a la Morris (via Earthly Paradise)

Exhibit: February 21 - April 26, 2008 Facing the Late Victorians:
Portraits of Writers and Artists from the
Mark Samuels Lasner Collection

Wait!  I thought I was done, but I just discovered this:

Just see what a creative person can do with Pre-Raph art and a chocolate box! 

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I mentioned my love for the book Possession in an earlier post, and I have received several emails from people who had never heard of it and wanted information.  It is a lovely book–one that, in my opinion, should be read more than once.  For those interested, here is some brief information:

Possession was written in 1990 by A.S. Byatt.

External Links:

Possession Summary (Spoiler Alert!)

On Possession, by A.S. Byatt (very good overview at The Poet’s Forum)

Searching for the Ideal Relationship in A.S. Byatt’s Possession: A Romance

A.S. Byatt’s Possession — Postmodern or Post-Postmodern?

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True Love, by Elizabeth Siddal

Farewell, Earl Richard,
Tender and brave;
Kneeling I kiss
The dust from thy grave.

Pray for me, Richard,
Lying alone
With hands pleading earnestly,
All in white stone.

Soon must I leave thee
This sweet summer tide;
That other is waiting
To claim his pale bride.

Soon I’ll return to thee
Hopeful and brave,
When the dead leaves
Blow over thy grave.

Then shall they find me
Close at thy head
Watching or fainting,
Sleeping or dead.

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