Letter to Frances M. L. Rossetti, 20 July 1867 DGR 1 By Permission of University of British Columbia. Letter to Frances M. L. Rossetti, 20 July 1867 DGR 1867 July 20 letter 3 pages DGR University of British Columbia library Commentary
Introduction

The letter contains a copy of DGR's “Aspecta Medusa” that he added in a postscript.

Textual History: Composition

Textual History: Revision

Production History

Reception History

Iconographic

Printing History

Pictorial

Historical

Literary

Translation

Autobiographical

Bibliographic

DGR finishes the letter vertically in the left margin for want of space. In this letter DGR refers to the Aspecta Medusa image series.

P.S. You will be glad to hear that I yesterday got a commission from Mr Matthews the great brewer (who is Ind Coope & Co) for 1500 guineas, for a design picture from a design I have just made of Perseus showing the Gorgon's head reflected in water to Andromeda. Some lines of mine which I write opposite will explain the subject to the Antique. I am going to set about the picture at once — life-size I think.

Aspecta Medusa — Andromeda, by Perseus saved and wed, Hankered each day to see the Gorgon's head: Till o'er a fount he held it, bade her lean, And mirrored in the wave was safely seen That death she lived by. Let not thine eyes know Any forbidden thing itself, although It once should save as well as kill; but be Its shadow upon life enough for thee.