| First exhibited at the Royal
Academy in 1851, this picture was viciously attacked by the critics,
causing John Ruskin to write to The Times in it’s defence. It is
strange that what now seems so conventional to us today, created such
violent antipathy in the mid 19th century. Sylvia was modeled
by Elizabeth Siddal, later to marry Rossetti. The colours are strong,
the drapery painting skilled, & the faces are well done. The trees
in the background are skillfully painted, & the foreground detail a
wonder. |
