Prae-Raphaelite Diaries and Letters

by William Michael Rossetti

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328 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Debi Levins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering that William Rossetti was the editor, it is no surprise that this publication is more than a bit biased.

What this publication does offer, is a fascinating insight into Ford Madox Brown. The most undervalued and overlooked of the Pre-Raphaelite artists. Though not an official member of the Brotherhood, Ford Madox Brown's work upheld the Brotherhood's ambition of "painting true to nature" much more so than Rossetti ever accomplished. In his diary, Ford Madox Brown writes, not for a reader, but for posterity. His diary is written by an artist faced day to day with the need to prove himself and his talent during an avalanche of change in the status quo world which was art in the nineteenth century, while battling depression and poverty. His diary excerpts are especially poignant.

Naturally, anything of a personal nature in the Rossetti/Elizabeth Siddall relationship and subsequent marriage was edited out. Curiously, there is scant mention of any model DGR used in his earliest work. This seems odder still since his early models included family friends, William himself, Mr. Rossetti senior and DGR's sister Christine. In addition to the obviously deliberate edits regarding Lizzie, Annie Miller is conspicuous by her absence. Not one word is printed regarding the Siddall/Rossetti marriage, even though the book covers this period date-wise. William claims that Gabriel tore pages from the PRB diary. However, William's repeated and elaborate explanations regarding why so much information (now common knowledge) is missing, in both the PRB journal, and Rossetti's personal diary smacks of 'damage control' worthy of the government. It's possible, but then one day pigs may fly.

Worth the read if one is able to overlook the D.G. Rossetti hero-worship.