“‘Isabella’ was one of the first paintings made in the new Pre-Raphaelite style. It was begun shortly after the founding of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848, when Millais was only 19.
The subject is taken from a poem by John Keats (1795-1821), based on a story by the Italian writer Boccaccio (died 1375). It tells of the love between Isabella, the sister of wealthy Florentine merchants, and their poor apprentice Lorenzo. The jealous brothers later murder Lorenzo, but his body is found by Isabella, who cuts off his head and buries it in a pot of basil, which she waters with her tears.”
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool,
Read More
Isabella – Millais’ painting at wikiwand
Sir John Everett Millais at smarthistory
Read Keat’s poem Isabella at bartleby.com
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood at wikiwand
Isabella, or the Pot of Basil, Keats poem at wikiwand
See More
John Everett Millais At Sunnyside
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood at Victorian Web
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~Sunnyside
At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet 
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🙂🌺🙏
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Thanks for sharing the video clip that helped me appreciate even more this amazing composition by Millais.
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My pleasure, always, Rosaliene. 🙂🌺
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I love when you post paintings accompanied by videos that explain their meaning in detail to us. It is always exciting for me to hear the origins of what the artist intended to portray. This one didn’t disappoint. Being exposed to this narrative encourages my own mind to wander when I see other works and look for the stories within. So satisfying! Thank you!
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My pleasure – I feel the same way, Sheila. 🙂🌺
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Oooh… I saw the original of this painting at an exhibition in San Francisco several years ago https://gretchenjoanna.com/2018/10/02/jewel-tones-and-drapery/ and it made a big impression on me — but I didn’t learn all these things about it! Thank you so much for the notes and links.
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You are fortunate, indeed, to have seen this, GretchenJoanna! Added to my bucket list lol 😎🌺
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The look of the dog in the painting is just fantastic. The only one who’s drawing the attention of a possible spectator 🙂
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The dog’s expression and body language speak loudly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ana. 🙂🌺
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