What an extraordinary homage. Her self portrait is so very poignant, the poem you uncovered about her so very poignant, and your essay built so beautifully around your research. Way to go.
Really enjoyable essay...I'm so glad you posted in Notes or would've missed it! Did you know Elizabeth Siddal was also a poet (see My Ladys Soul: The Poems of Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal)? Also...if you don't mind gratuitous nudity and general absurdity, there is a very informative BBC miniseries (2009) about the Brotherhood which dramatizes rather accurately (I think), Siddal and Rossetti's relationship--it's called, Desperate Romantics and stars Aiden Turner as Rossetti. Have you seen it?
I read it mentioned somewhere that she was a poet and I really want to find some of her work! I’m glad you managed to find the article; I am quite proud of it and I can’t wait to write about the other models. Thank you so much for reading and commenting! 🤍🤍
Thank you for raising the prominence of models. I’ve wondered why they rarely are given credit for their contributions to great art. Yet without them, artists would be at a loss.
Absolutely loved this. Thank you for highlighting a group of historical women I had not thought much about. This reminds me how busy and big the world has always been and how we can never overlook the human qualities of people as we look back into the past.
I am trying to remember where I saw something about Siddal as a painter and it’s escaping me. I remember being very moved by it and a bit ticked off at Dante.
Lizzie posed for Ophelia in a full bathtub, which was elevated and heated by candles set underneath. Millais was so preoccupied with painting that he did not notice when the candles burnt out, and the water cooled. Lizzie became ill due to long hours in the cold water, and her father made quite a fuss about the artist's carelessness.
Yikes. I would be angry about that too. I wonder that she didn’t mention it and ask them to relight the candles. Maybe she wanted to prove her strength?
Thank you so much for this! What a lovely deep dive!
These long drawn out looks, the age old tale of not falling for your muse, it’s wild to see how damaging that constant adoration, isolation, and pressure does to one’s psyche.
Wonderful article! I've always been fascinated by the models of famous painters and how often their own identities are erased. Thank you for the book recommendations, too!
What an extraordinary homage. Her self portrait is so very poignant, the poem you uncovered about her so very poignant, and your essay built so beautifully around your research. Way to go.
Thank you so much for reading it and for the comment! I truly believe she deserves a spotlight too 🤍
Really enjoyable essay...I'm so glad you posted in Notes or would've missed it! Did you know Elizabeth Siddal was also a poet (see My Ladys Soul: The Poems of Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal)? Also...if you don't mind gratuitous nudity and general absurdity, there is a very informative BBC miniseries (2009) about the Brotherhood which dramatizes rather accurately (I think), Siddal and Rossetti's relationship--it's called, Desperate Romantics and stars Aiden Turner as Rossetti. Have you seen it?
And no, I haven’t seen it, but I’ll jot the name for later!
I read it mentioned somewhere that she was a poet and I really want to find some of her work! I’m glad you managed to find the article; I am quite proud of it and I can’t wait to write about the other models. Thank you so much for reading and commenting! 🤍🤍
Thank you for raising the prominence of models. I’ve wondered why they rarely are given credit for their contributions to great art. Yet without them, artists would be at a loss.
Without them there wouldn’t have been so many of the masterpieces that we love today! Thank you for your comment!
By the way, have you read Kirsty Walker’s, The Curl of Copper and Pearl?
No, I haven’t! What’s it about?
Alice Wilding’s story of becoming Rosetti’s model. I read it a while back - i think i liked it but don’t really remember.
https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Pearl-Kirsty-Stonell-Walker/dp/1494398923https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Pearl-Kirsty-Stonell-Walker/dp/1494398923
Absolutely loved this. Thank you for highlighting a group of historical women I had not thought much about. This reminds me how busy and big the world has always been and how we can never overlook the human qualities of people as we look back into the past.
I am trying to remember where I saw something about Siddal as a painter and it’s escaping me. I remember being very moved by it and a bit ticked off at Dante.
Dante comes off as a bit of a creep now that I’m rereading my own post lol. Though I do still sympathize with him after her death
Lizzie posed for Ophelia in a full bathtub, which was elevated and heated by candles set underneath. Millais was so preoccupied with painting that he did not notice when the candles burnt out, and the water cooled. Lizzie became ill due to long hours in the cold water, and her father made quite a fuss about the artist's carelessness.
Yikes. I would be angry about that too. I wonder that she didn’t mention it and ask them to relight the candles. Maybe she wanted to prove her strength?
Welcome! Yes, women had to prove a lot of things, in those days.
Was going to comment on that. She was very committed to her modelling and didn't wish to move
Thank you so much for this! What a lovely deep dive!
These long drawn out looks, the age old tale of not falling for your muse, it’s wild to see how damaging that constant adoration, isolation, and pressure does to one’s psyche.
Thank you for reading it, and for your comment! 🤍
Yes she buckled under that pressure towards the end - and unfortunately, so did he…
Thoroughly recommend this book on her by the great Lucinda Hawksley if you haven't already read it
https://amzn.eu/d/ceQWduS
Wonderful article! I've always been fascinated by the models of famous painters and how often their own identities are erased. Thank you for the book recommendations, too!