1863

MAJOR WORKS OF THE YEAR

Literary: As in 1862, WMR made no entry in DGRDW for 1863, omitting the fact that “An Offering to Lancashire” was written in this year. DGR's major literary work centres on his contributions to AG's edition of her husband's Blake, published in October.

Artistic: Oils, completed portrait of Mrs. Leathart (S.343) begun in Newcastle in Dec 62, Bethlehem Gate (S.159), Belcolore (S.160), My Lady Greensleeves (later version, S.161), Joan of Arc (S.162) completed for JAR, Helen of Troy (S.163), completed Fazio's Mistress (S.164) for Blackmore, La Castagnetta (S.166), begins portrait of Mrs. Gabriele Rossetti (S.450); watercolours, Woman in Yellow (S.165), Brimfull (S.167); drawings, portrait of Ellen Smith (S.516), study for The Beloved (S.182A) drawn from Marie Ford for GPB, portrait of Ada Vernon (S.527).

SUMMARY OF THE YEAR's LETTERS

AG's Blake completed; promotes works of WBS, JWI, Legros, and JMW to his own patrons; from June enters into regular correspondence with GR, soon to be a major purchaser; settles into and decorates Tudor House (according to WMR, the “Japanese mania” entered their “quarters towards the middle of 1863”); photographic sessions with the Downeys and LC; visits Belgium with WMR. Many letters of invitation confirm WMR's description of DGR's social habits: “His own convenience dictated his habits, and persons in his company had to adapt themselves as best they could. In those years he did (it may be said) nothing in the evening, beyond talking and lounging… . His painting-work was over for the day; he wrote no more poems since the death of his wife, and the burial of his old poems in her coffin; he rarely took up the pen for letter-writing, and, if he did so, he dashed off the missive at a rattling pace; he read no newspapers or periodicals, and was very seldom going carefully through a book. Thus he did not require for himself any of the conveniences of regular quiet occupation” (SR 1: 274).

CHRONOLOGY

Jan–Jun

Completes Supplementary Chapter, and edits poetry and writes headnotes to the prose included in AG's Blake; consults with WJL over the plates; writes notes; reviews final proofs.