He seems to be quite a charming young fellow, don’t you think Lord Archibald?

I really love his sensual paintings and lush surroundings. When you see more than three of his images you immediately spot his style and addiction to a certain type of woman.

But once you know that his wife Elizabeth Siddal in 1862 – who killed herself after the birth of their dead child – it all becomes all so understandable.

Heartbroken Rossetti drowned his sorrows with booze and drugs. His life was not a happy one. Apart from being a gifted painter he also wrote poetry and published works on Italian authors.

Elizabeth was also the model for many other artists of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood – so you might know her from other paintings as well.

He died sad, broken and mentally unstable 1882.

More? Rossetti @ ArtRenewal.org or @ Wikipedia and a List of his paintings. And an excellent online exhibition by the Walker Art Gallery.