Between 1855 and 1859. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 26). Louisa Ruth Herbert (age 24).

1858. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 29). Louisa Ruth Herbert (age 27).

1858. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 29). Mary Magdalene at the door of Simon the Pharisee. Model Louisa Ruth Herbert (age 27).

Letters of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. On 01 Jun 1858 Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 30) wrote to William Bell Scott (age 47):

I am in the stunning position this morning of expecting the actual visit, at ½ past 11, of a model whom I have been longing to paint for years - Miss Herbert (age 27) of the Olympic Theatre - who has the most varied and highest expression I ever saw in a woman's face, besides abundant beauty, golden hair, etc. Did you ever see her? O my eye! she has sat to me now and will sit to me for Mary Magdalene in the picture I am beginning. Such luck!'.

20 Sep 1858. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 30). Drawing of Louisa Ruth Herbert (age 27).

1876. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 47). Drawing of Louisa Ruth Herbert (age 45).

1877. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 48). Drawing of Louisa Ruth Herbert (age 46).