Around 1847 Alice aka Alexa Wilding was born.
1863. Retouched 1873. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 34]. "Die Geliebte" aka "The Beloved" aka "The Bride". Models: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 16], Ellen Smith, Marie Ford Model, Fanny Entwhistle aka Eaton [aged 27] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 21].
Two Biblical texts are inscribed on the frame below the painting.
My beloved is mine and I am his. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: For thy love is better than wine. [The Song of Songs by King Solomon]
She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee.
Between 1864 to 1868. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 35]. Venus Verticordia aka Venus, Changer of the heart. Model Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 17].
Between 1864 to 1868. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 35]. Study for Venus Verticordia aka Venus, Changer of the heart. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 17].
1865. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 36]. Study for Washing Hands. Drawing of Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 18].
1866. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 37]. Monna Vanna aka Vain Woman. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 19]. The fan also appears in the painting Veronica Veronese.
From 1866 to 1870. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 37]. Sibylla Palmifera aka Soul's Beauty. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 19].
1866. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 37]. Regina Cordium aka Queen of Hearts. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 19].
Around 1866. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 37]. Study for Sibylla Palmifera aka Soul's Beauty. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 19].
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Around 1867. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 38]. Mary Magdalene. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 20].
1867. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 38]. Rosa Triplex. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 20].
Around 1867. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 38]. Aspecta Medusa. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 20].
1868. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 39]. Study for La Pia de' Tolomei. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 21].
1868. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 39]. La Pia de' Tolomei. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 21].
1870. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 41]. Study for Dante's Dream. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 23].
1870. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 41]. Study for Dante's Dream. Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 23].
1871. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 42]. "Dante's Dream at the Time of the Death of Beatrice". Models: Beatrice: Jane Morris nee Burden [aged 31], far left Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 24], far right Annie Miller [aged 36].
Between 1872 and 1873. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 43]. Study for Lilith's Head. Model probably Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 25].
1872. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 43]. "The Bower Meadow". Models Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 25] right in green, Marie Spartali aka Stillman [aged 27] left in red.
1872. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 43]. Veronica Veronese. Model Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 25]. Sold to Frederick Richards Leyland in 1872 for £840. In 1923 it was acquired by the estate of Samuel Bancroft which donated it in 1935 to the Delaware Art Museum. The painting depicts an uncaged bird, with camomile in the cage, on the desk primroses and daffodils. The fan at her side also appears in the paintint Monna Vanna. The quote is attributed on the frame to "The Letters of Girolamo Ridolfi,", which may a conceit, Suddenly leaning forward, the Lady Veronica rapidly wrote the first notes on the virgin page. Then she took the bow of her violin to make her dream reality; but before commencing to play the instrument hanging from her hand, she remained quiet a few moments, listening to the inspiring bird, while her left hand strayed over the strings searching for the supreme melody, still elusive. It was the marriage of the voices of nature and the soul—the dawn of a mystic creation. Translation from the French by Rowland Elzea.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
1873. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 44]. "La Ghirlandata" aka "The Garlanded Woman" aka "The Lady of the Wreath". Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 26]. Mary "May" Morris [aged 10] modelled for the heads in the corners. A woman playing a harp as two angels surround her, enclosed by vivid flowers – including honeysuckle and roses – and luscious green foliage which melds into the green of her dress.
1874. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 45]. Roman Widow. Model Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 27].
1874. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 45]. Alexa Wilding. Model Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 27].
1874. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 45]. Damsel of the Sanct Grael. Model Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 27].
Between 1875 and 1878. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 46]. The Blessed Damozel. Models centre Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 28], probably left-hand angel Mary "May" Morris [aged 12]. The first four verses of his poem The Blessed Damozel are written on the frame. In the collection of the Lady Lever Art Gallery [Map].
1875. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 46]. La Bella Mano aka The Beautiful Hand. Model Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 28].
1875. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 46]. Study for La Bella Mano aka The Beautiful Hand. Model Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 28].
1877. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 48]. A Sea-Spell. Model Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 30].
1879. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 50]. "Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 32]".
On 25th April 1884 Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 37] died.