The Blessed Damozel (first sketch for background) Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1 ŠPresident and Fellows of Harvard College, Harvard University The Blessed Damozel (first sketch for background) DGR 1876 Royal Jubileee Exhibition, Manchester, 1887; Fogg 1946 (no.82) Jane Morris 1876 gift Fogg Museum of Art, Harvard University 1943. 750 bequest Mrs. William Morris; May Morris; Kelmscott Manor sale July 19, 1939 (lot 309); Grenville L. Winthrop Bequest; Fogg Museum of Art , Harvard University black crayon on gray green paper; red crayon used for figured; white used for the sky 15 3/4 x 36 1/2 in. DGR 1876 The monogram and date are inscribed at lower centre. Ash, Dante Gabriel Rossetti . Surtees, A Catalogue Raisonné , vol. 2, plate 360. Jane Burden Morris The two women in the foreground resemble Mrs. Morris. Commentary
Introduction

The study is a good example of DGR's later drawing style—far more finished and elaborated than the brilliantly dynamic work he produced (mainly) in the 1850s. It is perhaps significant that DGR gave this work to Jane Morris, who stands behind all of <hi rend="i">The Blessed Damozel</hi> pictures even while Alexa Wilding is the explicit model for the damozel.

Production History

This finished study was completed at the time DGR began work on the oil painting commissioned by Graham.

Reception

Both Marillier and Hodgson, two of the earliest commentators, were impressed with this finished study, and it has retained its reputation.

Bibliographic

Ash, <hi rend="i">Dante Gabriel Rossetti</hi> . Benedetti, <hi rend="i"> Dante Gabriel Rossetti</hi> , 320. Hodgson, <hi rend="i">Fifty Years of British Art</hi> , 45-46. Marillier, <hi rend="i">DGR: An Illustrated Memorial</hi> , 189. <hi rend="i">Paintings and Drawings of the Pre-Raphaelites</hi> , 89. Surtees, <hi rend="i">A Catalogue Raisonné</hi> , vol. 1, 143 (no. 244G). Surtees, <hi rend="i">A Catalogue Raisonné</hi> , vol. 2 (plate 360).

“Around her, lovers, newly met ’Mid deathless love's acclaims, Spoke evermore among themselves Their rapturous new names.”

First Sketch for background of picture “The Blessed Damozel” Lines 37-40 of the poem are inscribed at centre foreground of the composition.