The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

May 12, 2012

May 12, 1828

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (May 12, 1828 to April 9, 1882) is known as a major founder of the painting school known as the Pre-Raphaelites, so-called because of their fondness for what they considered medieval themes, a world only recently defined in the mid 19th century. "Lady Lilith" is a painting Rossetti did showing a self-absorbed woman with flowing hair sitting and gazing at a mirror. He worked on this painting for years, and it is dated 1867, though he continued to change the canvas. One change Rossetti considered was adding a kitten to the scene. To this end he asked his brother, William Michael Rossetti, himself an art critic, for photos of sleeping cats. He never added a cat.

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