Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Veronica Veronese

'Veronica Veronese' (1872) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti; Bancroft Collection, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware

What a splash of absolutely gorgeous colours! Sometimes I wish I was a redhead and I would only wear green! Dante Gabriel Rossetti, born on 12 May 1828, was one of the major Pre-Raphaelite painters and co-founder of the brotherhood, together with William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais. Don't be misled by his Italian sounding name, for Rossetti was an English artist. Although further reading made me discover that his father was an Italian patriot exiled to England. Rossetti was put off by his father's strong political beliefs. He came to believe that literature and art should pursue beauty for the sake of beauty. This was one of of the key elements of Pre-Raphaelite art: embracing art for art's sake. Dante was also a poet and wrote poetry for the group's magazine 'The Germ'.  His personal life and his art were closely related for he had relationships with his models and muses. In 1860, he married his model Elizabeth Siddal. She also modelled for the famous painting 'Ophelia' by John Everett Millais. Their marriage was short-lived. In 1862, Elizabeth died as a result of an overdose of laudanum, leaving Rossetti overcome with grief. For today's painting, 'Veronica Veronese', Rossetti portrayed one of his favourite models Alexa Wilding in a passionate reverie. Rossetti's women were exquisitely beautiful, composed and undisturbed, and very powerful in presence. I love this painting!