Inspired by artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s passion for wombats, every Friday is Wombat Friday at Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood. “The Wombat is a Joy, a Triumph, a Delight, a Madness!” – Dante Gabriel Rossetti Last week my worthy assistant T-Dub learned all about Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s exotic menagerie of animals. He’s still reading William Michael Rossetti’s compilation…
Read more
I’ve seen comments online that say the Pre-Raphaelites mainly appeal to adolescents. Even this 2007 piece from The Guardian quotes a senior curator at Tate Britain saying they’d have complaints from teenage girls if they didn’t show Pre-Raphaelite art. At first I bristled at this, knowing that it is a style of art that appeals to…
Read more
In 1891, William Morris founded the Kelmscott Press in an effort to realize his vision of creating exquisitely crafted books. Joining him in this endeavor was his longtime friend Sir Edward Burne-Jones, who contributed over one hundred designs to Kelmscott Press editions. The books they created were unique in their craftsmanship and beauty, which you…
Read more
I receive many positive emails through this blog because, for the most part, people in the world are great. The negative ones stand out, though, and occasionally eat at me. In a recent message, someone (I assume not a regular reader of this blog) questioned my feminism because I am devoted to Pre-Raphaelite art….
Read more
“There is nothing stable in the world; uproar’s your only music.”-John Keats Several months ago I was diagnosed with a dermoid tumor on my ovary. If you aren’t squeamish, google dermoid. It’s a real monster. However, I am extremely grateful for mine. It saved my life. During exams and tests leading up to surgery, my…
Read more
It’s Mythic March! Created by my friends Grace Nuth and Lisa Stock, its premise is similar to NaNoWriMo: spend a month incorporating the beauty of myth into your daily life. Many participants will use the opportunity to get creative and embark on new projects and crafts. I’d like to use this month to look at how…
Read more
I’ve added a new entry to the Unexpected Sightings page. ‘Reverie’ by Dante Gabriel Rossetti can be seen in the background of NBC sitcom Seinfeld. This is Mr. Pitt’s apartment, where the character Elaine works as Mr. Pitt’s personal assistant. Sixth episode of the sixth season of Seinfeld, titled ‘The Gymnast’. To see Pre-Raphaelite…
Read more
She waits. Her eyes dart from wave to wave, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. He will come– as he does nightly–braving the turbulent sea for his love. She imagines him swimming with long powerful strokes. His arms must surely ache and burn, but it will be of no consequence to him, for he…
Read more
La Belle Dame Sans Merci by Frank Cadogan Cowper, based on the poem by John Keats.
You can follow the #wombatfriday fun by visiting the Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood Facebook page. I’m also on Twitter as @beguilingmerlin.
It is difficult for me to choose a painting to vote for. I have so many favorites and occasionally I find myself developing a new appreciation for a work that I wasn’t particularly fond of before. This year, I think I will vote for Elizabeth Siddal’s self portrait. It’s simple yet bold, resisting all attempts…
Read more
Once again, that cheeky wombat makes his appearance. Here he is with Lizzie Siddal. Are you missing out on the wombat fun? If you’re a Twitter user, just search the hashtag #wombatfriday. Or take a look at my feed. I retweet as many Friday wombats as I can. My Twitter name is beguilingmerlin, after the…
Read more
It has been a difficult week. So many troubling stories in the news. The Pre-Raphaelites had it right when they sought to include nature in their works, for today this simple, cheerful flower has boosted my mood. Happy Wombat Friday! “Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we…
Read more
It’s my first giveaway! And what a giveaway it is! One lucky reader will receive these three gorgeous blank journals. Designed by Brigid Ashwood, each journal is a 6X9 paperback with 200 pages. Pages are lined on one side, blank on the other. Journals are available for purchase here. To enter, simply post a comment…
Read more
Wombats can participate in Mythic March too, you know. Pre-Raphaelites and Fairy Tales are a perfect combination. Beauty, magic, perhaps a hint of danger. So today’s Wombat Friday is all about celebrating Fairy Tales. But first, you have to welcome Kirsty, who shares her first Wombat Friday post at The Kissed Mouth. Now, for your…
Read more
I’ve finished transcribing the passages from The Life and Letters of Sir John Everett Millais that describe the formation of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. You can read it here. Up next: I’m in the process of transcribing Holman Hunt’s account.
About a year ago, I was lucky enough to acquire a two volume set of The Life and Letters of Sir John Everett Millais, written by his son in 1898. It’s a beautiful set that I’ve longed to own, but was unable to give it the attention it deserves as my husband was still recuperating…
Read more
I’ve been quite busy this week. I’m working on a post about White Rose and the Red for LizzieSiddal.com. Written by modernist HD, White Rose and the Red is a fictional account of Elizabeth Siddal’s life. To be honest, when I first read it, I did not enjoy it. I felt mentally exhausted. But, after…
Read more
Pre-Raphaelite fans never disappoint. When I decided to create a gallery to share candid exhibit pics, I had no idea that I would receive so many. And believe me when I tell you that I could look at pictures of people posing with Ophelia or The Lady of Shalott all day! So, thank you and…
Read more
These pre-shrunk Gildan brand shirts feature an image of Elizabeth Siddal at an easel, painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Buy yours today! Thank you for supporting PreRaphaeliteSisterhood.com. You can also follow on Twitter and Facebook.