MAN62934 The Proclamation Regarding Weights and Measures, 1889 (tempera on panel) by Brown, Ford Madox (1821-93); 26.2x56.9 cm; Manchester Art Gallery, UK
Studies for Attendant figures for Astarte Syriaca 1879 by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Study for the attendant figures for Astarte Syriaca (chalk on paper) by Rossetti, Dante Gabriel Charles (1828-82); 36.4×50.2 cm; Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear, UK; This is one of an important pair of drawings by Dante Gabriel Rossetti portraying Jane Morris, who appears in many Pre-Raphaelite pictures. She was the wife of the artist and writer William Morris. This drawing is a study from one of the two flanking figures in Rossetti’s painting ‘Astarte Syriaca’ (1877). Rossetti gave the drawings to Sunderland Museum to mark its opening of in 1879. He was a friend of the Sunderland cork cutter Thomas Dixon, whose efforts had helped establish Sunderland Museum.
Study for the attendant figures for Astarte Syriaca (chalk on paper) by Rossetti, Dante Gabriel Charles (1828-82); 35.9×50.2 cm; Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear, UK; This is one of a pair of drawings given by the artist to mark the opening of Sunderland Museum in 1879. Dante Gabriel Rossetti was one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He was a friend of the Sunderland cork cutter Thomas Dixon, whose efforts had helped establish Sunderland Museum. The drawing shows one of the two figures either side of Venus in Rossetti’s painting ‘Astarte Syriaca’ (1877).
These striking chalk drawings are on loan to The Lowry from Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. They were made after Rossetti finished his painting Astarte Syriaca in 1877. ‘Astarte’ (an ancient Syrian goddess of love) was Lowry’s all-time favourite work by Rossetti and he made special arrangements to see these drawings in store in Sunderland.
Carmel Thomason
Nic Dowling
Martin Thomasson