Jun 27
The Return of Tibullus to Delia
Artist: Dante Gabriel Rossetti (English, 1828-1882) Date: 1868 Medium: Watercolour and bodycolor with gum arabic on paper Collection: Japanese Private Collection
Description
The Return of Tibullus to Delia was an unusual subject for Rossetti, based upon a classical Roman source – the first book of Tibullus’ Elegies, lines 82-92;
‘Live chaste, dear love; and while I’m far away, Be some old dame thy guardian night and day. She'll sing thee songs, and when the lamp is lit, Fly the full rock and draw long threads from it, So, unannounced, shall I come suddenly, As 'twere a presence sent from heaven to thee.'
#art and literature#pre raphaelite brotherhood#pre raphaelite art#literary painting#fine art#tibulius#elegies#latin poetry#artwork#literary narrative#delia#interior scene#painting#bed#drapery#men#women#musical instrument#cat#stool#costume#cloak#poetry#watercolor#english culture#english art#private collection#european art#19th century painting#dante gabriel rossetti