Proserpine (fifth version)

This painting was begun late in 1872, a fifth version of the picture sent to Charles Howell and Robert Parsons, with Frederick Leyland as the intended patron. In the first of a series of unfortunate mishaps, the face of Proserpine was rucked during the lining process; that is, the cloth was compressed, resulting in a number of unsightly folds. At first it was set aside and a new painting begun, but, according to Marillier, Rossetti soon returned to the work and restored it. However, the painting was misplaced while being transported to Kelmscott (Surtees, A Catalogue Raisonné , 132).

• WMR, Family Letters , vol. 2, 265.
• Fredeman, Correspondence,74.4.
• Marillier, DGR: An Illustrated Memorial , 174.
• Surtees, A Catalogue Raisonné , vol. 1, 131-132 (no. 233).