[Rossetti, Dante Gabriel] ALS. "Indeed I ought to be embarrassed to propose it to Beatrice..." Important Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs. Cowper (Mrs. William Cowper-Temple), Relating to the Beata Beatrix which William Cowper-Temple Eventually Purchased

Important Rossetti Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs. Cowper (Mrs. William Cowper-Temple), relating to the painting, ìBeata Beatrix,î which William Cowper-Temple eventually Purchased. A fabulous, unpublished three-page DGR letter, undated, but between circa 1864-1869, in the early stages of negotiation between Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Mr. and Mrs. William Cowper-Temple to purchase (and finish) one of Rossetti's most renowned paintings, the ìBeata Beatrixî (finally purchased by the Cowper-Temples, in 1866). From the Rossetti Archive: ìVarious letters from DGR show that he had begun studies and even a painting of his wife Elizabeth as Dante's Beatrice sometime before her suicide-death in early 1862. DGR told Ellen Heaton in 1863 that he had ìlately foundî the unfinished painting and that he now wanted to finish it. At that point he imagined that, ìThe background of the picture should be a landscape one, introducing after the manner of the old Italian painters, scenes from Dante, bearing on its main subjectî (quoted in Surtees, A Catalogue RaisonnÈ, vol. 1. 94). WMR dates the recommencement to 1864, and in 1870 the first oil version was completed for the Honble. William Cowper-Temple (later Lord Mount Temple). Printed on 16 Cheyne Walk gilt letterhead, three pages, ìSaturday. My dear Mrs. Cowper, ìI have an open engagement for Wednesday or Thursday next which it does not rest with me to determine, so I am sorry to say I cannot feel sure of coming to you...î He goes on to express his regret on not being home to greet her on her recent visit: ìI heard of your and Mr. Cowper's visit once only, and hope that has been the only time I have missed you. I would be most glad to see you...î Rossetti then goes on to express in metaphor the disposition of his painting and the delays in finishing in finishing it, ìIndeed & indeed I ought to be ashamed to propose it with Beatrice still untouched, but I know how kind you are, & you do not know how very soon she is going to be finally taken up now. She will be almost at once, I assure you, but I have been pressed with many things, and at one time had a long stoppage from work.î The latter referring to death of his wife Lizzie (Elizabeth Siddal) in 1862 and his ensuing depression and drug use. Signed, ìVery truly yours, DG Rossetti.î An extremely early letter to eventual buyer of ìBeata Beatrix,î if not the earliest ever penned by Dante to the recipient. Three fold marks, very good. In an unaddressed letter, fitting the letter.

Price: $3,250.00   Item #4402