Tuesday, August 6, 2013

The Raven', Dante Gabriel Rossetti



Ink and wash on paper, drawn about 1848, 23 x 21.6cm, Wightwick Manor, The Munro Collection (on loan to National Trust)

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'The Raven' about a poet, haunted by memories of his dead love. A raven flies in, perches on a bust of Pallas Athene and answers the poet's tormented questions about his lost love with the unchanging refrain "Nevermore".

The theme of lovers separated by death fascinated Rossetti throughout his career.

This was drawn just a few months before the foundation of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

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