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William Michael Rossetti

1 of 9 portraits of William Michael Rossetti

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William Michael Rossetti

by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
pencil and wash, 1853
11 1/8 in. x 8 1/4 in. (282 mm x 210 mm)
Purchased, 1981
Primary Collection
NPG 5428

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882), Painter and poet. Artist or producer associated with 22 portraits, Sitter in 29 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Marsh, Jan, The Pre-Raphaelite Circle, 2013, p. 37 Read entry

    'His early misfortune of baldness may have rather affected his innermost feelings,' noted William's daughter Helen; 'tho' he did not speak about it, he cannot have liked losing all his hair at 19 or 20.'

  • Marsh, Jan, Insights: The Pre-Raphaelite Circle, 2005, p. 36
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 534

Events of 1853back to top

Current affairs

Britain and America sign a treaty establishing an International Copyright agreement. Dickens, whose Bleak House is also published this year, was a particularly outspoken critic of these laws, as his works were freely published in America without any protection over copyright or royalties. He had lobbied the American Congress over the issue during his North American reading tour of 1842.

Art and science

David Livingstone makes a six month journey from the Zambezi river to the west coast of Africa.
Harriet Martineau translates The Positive Philosophy of August Comte. A scientific approach to understanding the natural world and human and social relations, positivism has an important influence on the development of the social sciences.
Holman Hunt exhibits his The Light of the World

International

Diplomatic row over Napoleon's call to the Turkish empire to restore Roman Catholic rights in the Holy Land. Russia asserts her role of protecting the rights of all Christians in the Ottoman empire; French and British fleets are dispatched to the Dardanelles. The Turkish sultan, declaring that he will look after the rights of Christians, heightens tension, and the Crimean war begins with Turkey declaring war on Russia.

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