Friday 15 March 2013

My first Wombat Friday

 Yes, I know, this is rather an odd title for a post.  I blame Kirsty at The Kissed Mouth and Stephanie at Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood for making this such an irresistible idea!  I am supposed to include cake on Wombat Friday too, but have failed at that part.  Still, I have got a toy wombat (who is really sweet and is nameless at the moment) and a Pre-Raphaelite painting.  Now before you all click away, shaking your heads and thinking "She's flipped!", a wombat was one of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's favourite animals and he had a real one.  In case you are not familiar with Mr Rossetti, he was a Victorian artist and poet and one of the founder members of the Pre-Raphaelites.  I love their work and their draughtsmanship was phenomenal; in my opinion, they created some of the most beautiful drawings of women ever made.
I have had a long relationship with the Pre-Raphaelites; I first saw April Love by Arthur Hughes (in the background) in a book in the school library when I was about 16, I think, and from then on, have been a huge fan.  I was lucky enough to go to the major Tate Exhibition in 1984, which made a big impression, as it was so full of vibrant colour.  The early works are known for this vivid colour and extreme realism and it is difficult to find reproductions which do the originals justice.  In reality, the purple of the girl's dress is stunning - a wonderful mixture of lilac, purple, blue. 
I have since collected (and am still collecting) many books about them - both the artists and their wives and models - and find more and more fascinating information out about them.  I have always enjoyed social history and have a particular love of the Victorian age.  The women involved in the group and those who were influenced by them also hold a fascination for me.  Who were they? Where did they come from? What happened to them?  I have enjoyed being able to find out.
So, here's to Wombat Fridays - perhaps I may not be able to join in every week, but I'll do my best.
If you are interested in the Pre-Raphaelites, both of the above mentioned blogs are excellent.
Also, a huge welcome to my recent new followers - I hope you will enjoy reading my blog.

6 comments:

  1. I would never have connected wombats with the pre-Raphaelites in a million years!

    Can't help with the name. Angus has a cuddly toy wombat and it has been called "wombat" for ever.

    Gillian x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Gillian
      Thank you. It was rather an unusual link. I have just ordered myself a book ('Rossetti's Wombat') all about Victorians and their animals - of course, Rossetti features quite a bit. I'm not sure about a name for my wombat yet - I shall have to think about it.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  2. Wombats and Pre-Raphaelites eh? Quite a conundrum. I shall look at the links for enlightenment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Toffeeapple
      Thank you - yes, it is quite an intriguing link, but all will become clear hopefully. I have just finished a book called 'Pre-Raphaelites in Love' (the title does not really complement the book in my view)but in my view, it was actually a well written, well researched and interesting account of the loves and marriages of Rossetti, Hunt, Millais and Burne-Jones. I find the whole Pre-Raphaelite story endlessly fascinating.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  3. Ooh, I have only just seen this post and I have the same wombat as you! Mine is called Top btw, look forward to learning yours' name.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Alison
      Thank you - my wombat still doesn't have a name yet. At the moment, he is called Wombat (yes, highly original, I know!). He scares our cats though because they seem to think he is a real and unidentifiable 'thing', so I have to make sure I don't leave him about!
      Enjoy all the Wombat Fridays!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete