Red House Pre-Raphaelite Mural Unveiled

RED HOUSE  PRE-RAPHAELITE MURAL

Described as a "mural of international importance", the National Trust  recently unveiled  a full 6ft by 8 ft Pre-Raphaelite work  discovered behind  a wardrobe in  William Morris' old house, The Red House, Bexley Heath, South East London .

Thought to have been the combined work of the Pre-Raphaelites : Edward Burne-Jones, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Elizabeth Siddal and Ford Madox Brown, the mural was painted  between 1860 to 1865 just after the recently married Morris moved into the house he commissioned from the architect Philip Webb.

The National Trust Red House website ( updated 19.8.2013) states :

(http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/red-house/visitor-information/article-1355798735539/#2)

The painting, designed for what had been Morris and his wife Jane’s bedroom, depicts Biblical characters: the figures of Adam and Eve (with the serpent), Noah (holding a miniature ark), Rachel and Jacob (with a ladder) and is designed to resemble a hanging tapestry with the illusion of folds.

We don't know for certain which artist painted which figure, and further research and analysis will be undertaken. Experts have based their initial thoughts on the styles of each artist along with other details known about their connections to Morris.

Jan Marsh, author and President of the William Morris Society, said: 'The concept of the overall design was almost certainly by Morris. Our initial thoughts are that the figure of Jacob was by Morris, Rachel possibly by Elizabeth Siddal, Noah by Madox Brown. But who painted Adam and Eve? Maybe Rossetti or Burne-Jones?' 

Figure thought to be by Elizabeth Siddal
 

 The reference to a figure by  Elizabeth Siddal's is possibly based on a letter she wrote to Rossetti while working at the Red House in  summer 1861: "If you can come down here on Saturday evening, I shall be very glad indeed"..."I want you to do something to the figure I have been trying to paint on the wall. But I fear it must all come out for I am too blind and sick to see what I am about"

Following the birth of a stillborn girl in May 1861 Lizzie's health had declined and she was  left suffering severe depression. She stayed again later at the Red House  in October 1861 while Rossetti was working in Yorkshire, but by now acting erratically she left hurriedly to return home causing Rossetti to write to his mother I am out here painting a portrait, and left Lizzie staying with the Morrises. Now she writes me that she has left them in a hurry, making me very uneasy.....,

For more on the Red House discovery, see the video on the National Trust Red House website or on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkzhsPRFnTk&feature=player_detailpage