He was born into an Italian family steeped in a rich cultural and literary heritage which greatly influenced him throughout his life. Often torn between either being an artist or a poet, he chose both.
In this episode, we’ll talk about Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, as well as one of his most famous works, The Day Dream.
The Day Dream
>>>Click here to view a larger version of The Day Dream<<<
Chalk sketch of The Day Dream:
The Day Dream Sonnet
The thronged boughs of the shadowy sycamore
Still bear young leaflets half the summer through;
From when the robin ‘gainst the unhidden blue
Perched dark, till now, deep in the leafy core,
The embowered throstle’s urgent wood-notes soar
Through summer silence. Still the leaves come new;
Yet never rosy-sheathed as those which drew
Their spiral tongues from spring-buds heretofore.
Within the branching shade of Reverie
Dreams even may spring till autumn; yet none be
Like woman’s budding day-dream spirit-fann’d.
Lo! tow’rd deep skies, not deeper than her look,
She dreams; till now on her forgotten book
Drops the forgotten blossom from her hand.
Compare & Contrast with Rossetti’s Proserpine:
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Recommended for Further Study:
The Pre-Raphaelites: Their Lives and Works in 500 Images: A study of the artists, their lives and context, with 500 images, and a gallery showing 300 of their most iconic paintings
Meet the Artist: The Pre-Raphaelites: An Art Activity Book (Tate Meet the Artist)The Pre-Raphaelites: Romance and Realism (Abrams Discoveries)
