Author: Stephanie E. Chatfield

  • Artist paints Ophelia using bacteria

    In a highly original and unique project, artist Jo Wonder recreates Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais using bacteria as a medium.  The video is incredibly moving and includes voice mails and messages left for Ophelia. “I like the idea of Ophelia being a beauty but made up of something that we think is disgusting.…

  • Retired teacher pinpoints where Millais painted Ophelia

    Barbara Webb has narrowed down the location where Millais sat to paint the background to Ophelia.    Ophelia is not only one of the artist’s most famous works, it is also one of the most recognizable images of Elizabeth Siddal.  Read the entire article at Telegraph.co.uk. For more on Elizabeth Siddal as Ophelia, visit the Ophelia…

  • W.M. Rossetti article from The Guardian Archives:

    Thank you to Cathy Baker of Gather Ye Rosebuds while ye may for bringing this to my attention. Originally published in Manchester Guardian on 29 March 1904.   William Michael Rossetti starts off with the intention of setting the record straight that John Ruskin did not “set Pre-Raphaelitism going”.   Excerpt below, click here to read…

  • New article in the Spectator on Barbara Bodichon and her circle, including Elizabeth Siddal

    A new article in the Spectator explores Barbara Leigh Smith, later Bodichon.  Written by Charlotte Moore,  this charming piece introduces us to her ‘Aunt Barbara’, whose circle of friends included many famous Victorians.   I recently saw the sketch that Barbara made of Elizabeth Siddal in The Art of the Pre-Raphaelites by Elizabeth Prettejohn.  The sketch,…

  • Commemoration of Siddal and Rossetti’s marriage

    Via Hasting’s Art Forum:  150 years ago on May 23rd 1860 the Pre Raphaelite artists Dante Gabriel Rossetti married his lover and model Lizzie Siddal in St. Clements Church Hastings. Lizzie later became a fine artist and poet in her own right. Sadly just two years later she died. To commemorate the wedding there will…

  • The Legend of Elizabeth Siddal to be republished

    The Legend of Elizabeth Siddal by Jan Marsh is set to be back in print. The book will be available from the publisher, Quartet Books, in May. This book has become a sought after item for many Siddal enthusiasts, often garnering high prices on eBay and other online book sellers.

  • Mentions of Lizzie in Rossetti’s letters to his family:

    A full textual transcription of Rossetti’s family letters can be found at The Rossetti Archive.  For the purposes of this post, I have only selected letters that mention Elizabeth Siddal in an effort to see how Gabriel communicated with his family in regards to his relationship with her. Taken from Dante Gabriel Rossetti. His Family-Letters…

  • Letter from Rossetti to his brother while his pupil uses his studio

    In 1853, while Lizzie was known as Gabriel’s pupil, she painted in his studio while he was visiting the Scott (William Bell Scott) family in Newcastle-on-Tyne.  Gabriel mentions this in a letter to his brother, William Michael Rossetti. I believe that this was when Lizzie painted her only self portrait. Newcastle-On-Tyne.20 June [1853]. My Dear…

  • Film: The Legend of Lizzie Siddal

    Poet Andrew Norris sent me a message via YouTube sharing his amazing film, based upon the exhumation of Elizabeth Siddal.  I am thrilled to share it with you, Norris is indeed a talent and I encourage you to see his other films via his blog.

  • Lizzie Siddal on Jeopardy

    I just discovered via our LizzieSiddal.com Facebook page that Lizzie Siddal was recently on answer on the popular gameshow Jeopardy. Here’s a link to the clue archives. Scroll down a bit on the page, Lizzie appears during the Double Jeopardy round under the category The Victorians.  The clue was:  “Prominent feature of women in pre-Raphaelite…