Lizzie Siddall: The Tragedy of a Pre-Raphaelite Supermodel by Lucina Hawksley

 Beautiful, red-haired Lizzie must have thought that all of her dreams had come true when she was discovered by Walter Howell Deverell to be a model for his paintings after a hard life working for a milliner. She soon became part of another world of young, talented rebellious artists who revolutionised art.

However, Lizzie, who was extremely talented herself, fell in love with Dante Gabriel Rossetti, which made her become self-destructive. This was a tormented relationship because of his family’s disapproval, his reluctance to marry her and his philandering ways. Lizzie, who seems to have had anorexia and was extremely sickly, became addicted to laudanum which completely ruined her health.

This book not only tells Lizzie’s story, but it is an excellent book on the Pre-Raphaelites and their motives and art. It’s incredibly depressing but a fascinating story, especially if you are a fan of their work.

I read this for Rose City Reader’s TBR 25 in ‘25 Challenge.