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Lots 26-35 The follow lots are from the collection of a descendant of Lucy Madox Brown and W.M. Rossetti (who married in 1874). Lucy Madox Brown was the daughter of Ford Madox Brown and William Michael Rossetti was the brother of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. All of the drawings except lot 30, which is framed, were previously housed in one folio. We are grateful to Mrs Virginia Surtees, Angela Thirwell and Mary Rossetti Rutterford for their help in preparing this catalogue.

Lucy Madox Brown (1843-1894)

Study for Romeo and Juliet in the vault

Details

Lucy Madox Brown (1843-1894)
Study for Romeo and Juliet in the vault
black chalk, on grey paper, unframed
11 x 13¾ in. (28 x 33.6 cm.);Study from classical statuary of the Dancing Faun dated '2. 12. 59'; a watercolour of Millaker Farm at Mapham, near Gravesend, Kent; a pencil study of a child's profile; and an oil study of a horse traditionally attributed to Ford Madox Brown and four drawings by other hands including an oil study of a dog by Eliza Brown; and a study of cats by Oliver Madox Brown (8)

Provenance

Lucy Madox Brown and her husband William Michael Rossetti and by descent.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

Please note that there are 9 items in this lot and not 8 as stated in the catalogue.

Lot Essay

This drawing is a study for the artist's oil painting of the subject executed in 1871 and considered to be her best work. It was exhibited the same year at the Dudley Gallery in the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly. Lucy Madox Brown began exhibiting at the Dudley Gallery in 1868 and showed most of her work there, only exhibiting one picture at the Royal Academy, The Duet in 1870. It is recorded that Dante Gabriel Rossetti thought Romeo and Juliet was 'a really perfect picture'. It was purchased by Mr Wilson of Ambleside for £105. The models for Romeo and Juliet were Lucy Madox Brown's half brother and sister Cathy and Oliver. The painting is on loan at Wightwick Manor, near Wolverhampton (National Trust).
Lucy Madox Brown married William Michael Rossetti, the brother of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, in 1874.

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