Dante Gabriel Rossetti

The Tune of the Seven Towers

1857

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

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Not on display

Artist: Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1828–1882
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Dimensions: Support: 314 × 365 mm
frame: 552 × 570 × 35 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Purchased with assistance from Sir Arthur Du Cros Bt and Sir Otto Beit KCMG through the Art Fund 1916
Reference: N03059

Display caption

The subject of this image remains a mystery. It may have been inspired by medieval songs or tales, and its composition and colour reflect the intensity of illuminated manuscripts. As with other works by Rossetti, it may be partly autobiographical, as he was at the time considering marriage to Elizabeth Siddall, who posed for the seated figure in red. A servant (top left) places a branch of an orange-tree, a symbol of marriage, on the bed. However, instead of being joyous, the scene is extremely melancholy, perhaps an allusion to Siddall's illness at this time, which was thought to be fatal.

Gallery label, August 2004

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