Context

Christina Rossetti

• Lived from 1830 - 1894

• Engaged twice but never married - James Collinson and Charles Cayley

• Worked at London refuge for prostitutes

• Suffered breakdown at 14

• Financial difficulty

Religion

Devoted Tractarian

Pre-Raphaelite painting

• Beauty and simplicity of medieval world

• Respect for nature

• Faithful for nature

• Enthusiasm for literalness and precision

• Bright, jewel-like colours

• Rossetti’s brother concentrated on bust-length oil paintings

Pre-Raphaelite poetry

• Emphasis on beautiful, natural, sensuous details

• Symbolic meaning associated with common objects or situations

• Feelings of nostalgia for medieval world

• Melodious (musical) language