William Morris, le Carnet Rouge

So here it is..this was the second Pre-Raphaelite surprise to come my way this Christmas day. Via Raine on Facebook, I found out about this phenomenal-looking new book about William Morris' life and daydreams as a young child. Illustrated by Agata Kawa, the book is entirely in French (and I don't read a single word of it) and the images are just phenomenally beautiful.


Morris' floral patterns are rendered in organic and dream-like soft colors on each page.


I love this emblem, inspired by Morris' Dragon and Peacock design.


Recognize the Millais that inspired this?




The book is available on Amazon.co.uk

Doctor Who Christmas Special

Christmas Day yielded not one but two delightful Pre-Raphaelite surprises for all of us. First, there was the Christmas special episode of Doctor Who..

Yes, Doctor Who. I assume you're a fan, if you're already discriminating enough of taste to love the Brotherhood.



Yes, that IS William Morris "Compton" pattern, in the gorgeous manor house from the Doctor Who special.

More than that, I shall not say for those of you who haven't seen the episode yet. But it was indeed a special treat.

The second special discovery of Christmas, brought to my attention by Raine, to come tomorrow....

Pre-Raphaelite Artist Salon

As if I need another reason to make it to the Dickens Fair someday. Blog reader Sheila let me know about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Artists Salon held at the event every year. Could that be more fun??

The group "presents a whole Adventurer Club 'hour' (actually 45 minutes) of PRB delights. The audience will see members drawing and painting models, they will also be given paper and pencil to join in (especially children), instruction if requested, with soft music or inspiring poetry being performed."

From my perusal of their Facebook page, it appears every weekend they feature a new combination of models, poses, and continue the story line of the Brotherhood in a gossipy way. For instance, here's a sample "article" detailing the events of one of the Salons:

Those defiant Pre-Raphaelites

(By William Stillman, an American Journalist in London)

Effie defiantly says she will prove it. E. Ruskin’s petition to have her marriage to J. Ruskin annulled, has been challenged by Ruskin who now insists that Effie prove her contention that the marriage was never consummated.

William Morris is now planning to travel to Iceland. His daughter, May, was overheard requesting him to bring her an Icelandic pony on his return.

“Top”, the wombat owned by the D.G. Rossetti has discovered the delights of tobacco, and has eaten the Adventurers Club special reserve of South American cigars.

A growing circle of Pre-Raphaelites will meet again this weekend at the Adventurers Club at 3:30 PM to sketch and read poetry. Miss Lizzie Siddal will pose as Ophelia for a second time. Her bathing mishap, while posing for J. Millais will not be repeated."

Whoever created this salon is my new personal hero. Three cheers for their brilliance!!!

Raine's Latest...the Trio -- Ruskin, Effie, Millais

If This is What an Eccentric Spinster Looks Like...

...then sign me up!

A new article on the Daily Mail website features Victorian-era fan Julia Wood, who dresses and lives in a style to celebrate the era "from the 1890s to the first World War." She is also called an "eccentric spinster" in the article...outdated terminology, to be sure.

Clearly she has stunning taste in wallpaper, for one thing (Morris & Co of course)


And her furniture and aesthetic style are wonderful.


Love her little knick-knacks around:


And I wholeheartedly approve of her collection of blue and white china, and her tucked in photo of Oscar Wilde:


I am utterly inspired by Ms. Julia and her pursuit of beauty. She is truly a modern Aesthete!

Click the link to the article for more info, photos, and video. (Found from Mags Phelan, also shared by Art Magick on Facebook)

I Hate Everything

So far as I can tell, this blog, found by Edie, has nothing to directly do with the Brotherhood, but the title made me laugh out loud, and I had to share it.

Dakota as Effie

Many of you have probably already heard that Dakota Fanning is going to be starring as Effie Ruskin-Millais in a new biopic next year. I for one am quite excited to see how Ruskin, Effie and Millais are portrayed...the romance between the latter two is one of my favorite tales of the original core Brotherhood. And I hope, unlike Desperate Romantics, they don't shy away from a discussion of Ruskin's peculiarities toward young women and his reason for not consummating their relationship (as Kirsty Walker puts it... "just lie back and think of cathedrals")

And of course I hope there are cameos by other Brotherhood members.

Anyway, many thanks to Tess of Midnight Muse for the link to this preview from the production.


Effie. Although I can think of other actresses I would have chosen first, I think Dakota will do a grand job.


Ruskin in a down jacket.

Oxford Union Christmas

My friend Verity posted another gorgeous Pre-Raphaelite Christmas image....a tree on display in the library at the Oxford Union, right under the famous Pre-Raphaelite murals. I love how wonderfully the Brotherhood and Christmas meld.

A Hair Biting Euphoric Vision

This gorgeous image from Vlada Roslyakova by Pierluigi Maco for Vogue China, January 2007 reminds me a little of Beata Beatrix. Gorgeous. It also continues the longstanding Pre-Raphaelite tradition of hair-biting.



Edited to add...I KNEW this photo reminded me of a specific work, but I didn't come across it in Googling. Thank you, dear Stephanie, for identifying it!!! Rossetti's sketch of Lizzie as Delia:

A Red House Christmas

Oh, those of you who aren't friends with Red House on Facebook, all the amazing pictures you're missing!!! They shared images of William Morris' beautiful home...pretty much the Camelot of the Pre-Raphaelites' golden years...decorated ever so festively for the holidays.

This tree could not be more amazing. Not only is it entirely period-appropriate with its natural garlands of popcorn, orange slices, and paper cutouts, but it's Pre-Raphaelite theme! How perfect is that??

A Christmas tree in front of the famous zig-zag patterned front door of Red House. It does my heart good.


The gingerbread Brotherhood (or in the case of this picture, Sisterhood) just tickles me to death. Each one has the initials of an obvious counterpart to all of us in the know.


And who better to make the angelic tree-topper than Edward Burne-Jones?


The breathtakingly gorgeous staircase at Red House all bedecked with natural gorgeousness, including a kissing ball.


A volunteer helps decorate the window sills. For some reason, every time I see these windows in pictures, it feels especially giddy to me. I can truly imagine Lizzie or Ned staring out of them at the surrounding nature.


Another shot of the gorgeous tree:


And the amazing staircase: