Not Just a Pretty Face

Lizzie Siddall was the 19th century’s proto-supermodel. Her beauty inspired the artists and poets of her generation, who presented her as a mysterious, fairytale creature. We tend to know her through the filter of the men who painted her, but in the archives of the Ashmolean Museum, you can encounter the real Lizzie. Behind the silent muse of Pre-Raphaelite art was a vibrant, creative woman, who was herself a talented poet and artist. In this episode, meet one of history’s most famous models, on her own terms.

Two men in a boat and a woman punting, Elizabeth Siddal (1829–1862) View this online

Elizabeth Siddal playing a Stringed Instrument, by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882) View this online

Elizabeth Siddal playing Double Pipes, by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882) View this online

If you want to take a closer look at the artworks mentioned in this episode, you can view them at the links above. Visit the podcast page on the Ashmolean website: ashmolean.org/objects-out-loud

Hosted by Lucie Dawkins, with Caroline Palmer and the voices of Josie Richardson and Sid Sagar. With poems by Lizzie Siddall, Christina Rossetti, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Alfred Lord Tennyson.
The producer is Lucie Dawkins.

About Objects Out Loud: From a magician who inspired Shakespeare, and poems woven into Japanese prints, to manuscripts illuminated with the ancient love story of Layla and Majnun, this new podcast series will delve into the poetry and literature hidden in the collections at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

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