Holst Birthplace Museum Displays Rossetti Watercolour
A previously lost watercolour drawing by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti has been found. It is a sketch of the painting, The Bride by the Gothic-Romantic artist Theodor von Holst (1810-1844) which is currently on display at the Holst Birthplace Museum, Cheltenham as part of the exhibition, Theodor von Holst: His Art & The Pre-Raphaelites. The sketch and painting have now been reunited, and are being exhibited side by side. The drawing is on show at the Holst Bicentenary Exhibition until 11 December.
Rossetti’s high regard for the work of his romantic predecessor Theodor von Holst (1810-44) has always been known. Indeed he called Theodor von Holst ‘that great painter’ and owned one of von Holst’s sketchbooks. The Bride sketch, although previously known about, had been mislaid for many years, and until it resurfaced a few weeks ago it was attributed to one of the ‘Pre-Raphaelite’ circle. Further appraisal of the work by amongst others the Theodor von Holst scholar Max Browne reveals it to be almost certainly by Rossetti himself.
Once belonging to Rossetti’s sculptor friend, Alexander Munro, the sketch is still in private hands. It is mounted in one of Munro’s ‘commonplace’ notebooks along with many other less finished sketches by Rossetti.
This is very significant discovery, particularly in terms of von Holst’s reputation, adding considerably to the mounting evidence of admiration for him from the central figure of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, the most important group of artists in British art history. It also adds much to the story of Rossetti, linking him once again to a beautiful and enigmatic woman.
Laura Kinnear, Curator of the Holst Birthplace Museum says, ‘This discovery really shows what an influence Theodor von Holst was on the Pre-Raphaelites, especially Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Rossetti’s beautiful drawing is a tribute to his love of von Holst’s work. The public have a real opportunity to see the sketch on display in the next couple of weeks before it returns to a private collection.’
Image: Dante Gabriel Rossetti The Bride watercolour sketch c1845-55.
Holst Birthplace Museum
The Museum which opened in 1975, is a memorial to Holst, one of England’s most respected composers, best known for his work The Planets. It is one of only two composer, birthplace museums in the country (the other being Elgar’s). Visitors may learn more of Holst’s life, his music, his family and friendships, whilst being reminded of domestic life at the end of the 19th Century.
Holst Birthplace Museum: 4 Clarence Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 2AY TEL: 01242 524846
www.holstmuseum.org.uk
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