This is the first work Millais painted as a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Lorenzo and Isabella is based on Keats’ poem Isabella, or, the Pot of Basil. I’ve touched on the poem briefly in this post about William Holman Hunt’s painting of the same subject. Basically, Isabella and Lorenzo fall in love. Her brothers … Read more
I recently saw an interview with Jane Campion on Charlie Rose and was interested as she discussed her latest film, Bright Star. Based on the three-year romance between John Keats and Fanny Brawne, which was cut short by Keats’ untimely death at age 25. Keats was an inspiration to the Pre-Raphaelites. His poem The Eve … Read more
A dear online friend has started a beautiful new blog that should become one of your daily visits! Cathy, who is ever seeking beauty to enjoy, to learn from and to share has chosen to name her blog Gather Ye Rosebuds while ye may which is also the title of this Waterhouse painting: Cathy thrills … Read more
The Pre-Raphaelites and the artists they inspired are known for their attention to detail. While their attention to nature is perhaps a more widely known aspect of Pre-Raphaelite art, their meticulous representation of clothing does not escape my notice. Of course, there are many examples to choose from since Pre-Raphaelite art is rich with drapery … Read more
I devoured this book. And I know I will not hesitate to devour it again, its hold over me is that strong. It is a story with many layers and a narrative that switches between time periods. I enjoyed it, realizing early on that the story was told in an artistic, disjointed way that appealed … Read more
After the previous posts about repeated use of objects in Pre-Raphaelite art (Rossetti and His Baubles and Hair Adornment in Rossetti Paintings), I have taken to scouring images for props used repeatedly. One of which is this silver ornament or pillar I’ve seen in both The Bridesmaid and Mariana by Sir John Everett Millais: In … Read more
I’ve seen this book online many times, but when I happened upon it in the library I could not resist its call. How can I not be tempted to read a book with a Rossetti stunner gracing the cover? At this point, I am about 100 pages into the tale. The language is lush and … Read more
I am so excited that The Lady of Shalott in now available for purchase on DVD! The DVD includes: The DVD includes: A magical dramatisation of the poem, The Lady of Shalott. Alfred Tennyson (Ben Poole) reading the poem to an 1856 Christmas audience. An interview between Ben Poole (Tennyson) and Grace Timmins (TennysonResearch Centre, … Read more
After the previous post about the hair pin (also see this post at The Beautiful Necessity) I spent today collecting images of recurring jewelry in Rossetti paintings. So far I have: Rossetti adorned her hair with a lovely white rose and a piece of jewelry that has always looked like an earring (to my modern … Read more
I love to search the paintings of Dante Gabriel Rossetti because he adds so many details and symbolism. It’s hard not to notice this beautiful spiral-shaped hair clip that seems to have migrated from one canvas to another: A Christmas Carol: The Bower Meadow: Mariana: Grace at The Beautiful Neccessity also has a post about … Read more
Via The Press Association: A portrait previously owned by LS Lowry of an “enthralling” artists’ muse will go under the hammer next month. The 1860 drawing of Annie Miller by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) is expected to fetch between £200,000 and £300,000. Annie Miller (1835-1925) was a striking model from a humble background, who “enthralled … Read more
St. George and the Princess Sabra was painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1862. This was the last work that his wife, Lizzie Siddal, posed for before her death. I find myself searching her face, as if it were a photograph, looking for signs of what was to occur days later: her overdose of laudanum. The … Read more
The Beguiling of Merlin is a special painting to me, as mentioned in this previous post from 2007 . Painted by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones in the 1870s, this painting shares the entrapment of Merlin. There are many different versions of the tale of Merlin and Nimue. Nimue is a Lady of the Lake and is … Read more
Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale (1871-1945) was born years after the original members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood had gone their separate ways. It is obvious when looking at her work that what we now consider the “Pre-Raphaelite style” had a great influence on her. Like many of the Pre-Raphaelites, her subjects were shown in a Medieval style … Read more
The Lady of Shalott premiere will be on May the 15th at the Odeon Cinema, Lincoln (UK) at 10am. Visit their website for information about this stunning project. I plan to follow the progress of the film. As soon as information is available about purchasing it on DVD, I will share it with you. Personally, … Read more
I have been following the progress of The Lady of Shalott film project. With every new photo they share from the set I am struck by their attention to detail. Feast your eyes upon this modern representation of the Arthur Hughes painting April Love. Here’s the information I’ve received: Hi Stephanie Here is a picture … Read more
The intricate pattern of Sidonia’s gown is amazing. Painted in 1860, Sidonia von Bork is an early watercolor by Burne-Jones and is based on the book Sidonia the Sorceress. Burne-Jones used model Fanny Cornforth (a Rossetti favorite) to portray Sidonia. We see her standing in profile, apparently lost in thought while plotting and scheming. In … Read more
Drawn by Elizabeth Siddal, At the Milliners is privately owned. For security reasons, the owner would prefer to remain anonymous. I am grateful that they have so graciously shared this image with LizzieSiddal.com. The owner did have this to say: The attributed title, “At the Milliner’s,” is most likely incorrect. That name was given because … Read more
I am in the process of creating a Facebook page for Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood. If you use Facebook, please stop by! You can also follow this site at myspace.
The tale of the Borgias captivated Rossetti. Lucrezia Borgia (1480-1519) was the member of a ruthless political family. Her father Rodrigo Borgia eventually became Pope Alexander VI. We see her in Rossetti’s painting washing her hands after the poisoning of her husband, Duke Alfonso Bisceglie. Rossetti had a tendency to paint women’s arms and necks … Read more
Having just mentioned this poem in the post La Pia de Tolomei, I found it fitting to choose Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s poem Sunset Wings as the poem of the week. According to this page at the Rossetti Archive, the poems most striking images focus on a flock of starlings that DGR noticed during his sojourn … Read more
Based on Shakespeare’s Two Gentleman of Verona, this was one of William Holman Hunt’s most successful paintings. Lizzie Siddal, one of my favorite Pre-Raphaelite models, modeled for Sylvia. We can not see her features in this image, though. Hunt repainted them after criticism from John Ruskin. Hunt painted this piece outdoors in the Surrey countryside … Read more
WAG Screen has created a Facebook Fan Page for their current project, The Lady of Shalott film. If you’re a Facebook user, add them to your friends list. They’ve created a wonderful page with videos, stills, and news about the film. RELATED POSTS: About the Project Photo from Final Day of Filming Victoria Rigby as … Read more
The curse has come upon the Lady of Shalott… and”The mirror crack’d from side to side” The photo above is from the final day of filming of The Lady of Shalott film project. A previous post about this project can be read here and more photos can also be seen at The Beautiful Necessity here … Read more
Press release from Nationalmuseum in Stockholm December 19th, 2008 In the coming spring, the National Museum in Stockholm will present an exhibition devoted to the pictorial world of the Pre-Raphaelites. This group of nineteenth-century English artists sought inspiration in mediaeval art. Their style is characterized by a conscious striving for beauty, existential themes and moral … Read more