Customer Reviews

Rossetti, his life and works

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This is an interesting journey by the author of many well-known books, including Brideshead Revisited and Decline and Fall.

Written in 1927, when he was only 24, this was Waugh's first publication. Blasted for their non-traditional form of art, at the time, there was little interest in the Pre-Raphaelite artists. For exaggeration, critics who savagely were opposed to the Pre-Ralphaelite movement, chose the provocative, avant garde, mysterious and self destructive Rossetti as their framework for derision.

Waugh's later writings depict the hypocrisy of the British aristocracy and, while he pointed a wicked finger at the rich, and was known for his witty satire, throughout his life he was also deeply attracted to the lifestyle. Knowing this helped me when reading his look at Rossetti and the Pre-Raphaelites.

Waugh did an excellent job at depicting the formation of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood, attentively researching each member and their contribution. However, his portrayal of Rossetti appears to be in keeping with the jealous and ignorant. His picky nastiness is what I would deem pinkies in the air, tea cup in hand, little old gossipy lady like.

Using Fanny Cornforth as a model, Rossetti's masterpiece Monna, Vanna, is currently prominently displayed in the Tate Gallery in London


Of this incredible painting, Wauch noted it was the "most sumptuous vision of barbaric glory and on the whole more than a little absurd."

Waugh deemed Rossetti a "meloncholy old fraud."

History and the Pre-Raphaelite paintings stand the test of time. Certainly Waugh was entitled to his opinion and art is very subjective. I simply wish Waugh's pettiness was not so prominent throughout the book because it greatly detracted from his young accomplishment.