Lizzie had gone to visit France and, being out of funds, she wrote to her husband, Dante Gabriel Rossetti to ask for money, which he duly sent. She wrote back to confirm that she had received the money, describing the official process by which this was done.
First, Lizzie had to go to the local post office, and take the letter containing the money. Then she went to the police to report this. There, she had to spend A FEW HOURS IN JAIL, before finally the money was given back to her and she could walk out.
I found this hilarious, though I am sure it was highly uncomfortable and unpleasant for travelers!
Lizzie was a famous 19th century artist's model, and an artist herself. The picture above is her self-portrait. If you think that she is not too beautiful, have a look at how she was painted as Ophelia by John Everett Millais (her most famous portrait). The Pre-Raphaelites were not interested in classically beautiful women, or pretty women. They liked unusual women.
Though the Pre-Raphaelites called themselves a brotherhood, there were women in the movement as well, including Lizzie herself, Jane Morris, Christina Rossetti (Dante's famous sister), Emma Sandys, and others!
Despite her tragic life, Lizzie was an artist and a poet, who is now being rediscovered by feminist scholars.
For me, Siddal looks like Kate Moss, especially in the Ophelia painting. I find her fascinating and mysterious. Most of all, Lizzie intrigues me because she straddles the notorious object/ subject, artist/model dyad.
Have a good Saturday evening, and see you all tomorrow for The Lipstick Papers Weekend Review! xxx
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