Bruna Brunelleschi

Bruna Brunelleschi
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
1878

The monogram and date are inscribed at upper right

Presumably a study for the oil portrait of Mrs Morris (Surtees no. 372), begun in 1878. The head and shoulders of Mrs. Morris. Rossetti wrote concerning this work: "27 Feb 1878. I have finished an old watercolour for the head of your portrait and it comes well - it is for Valpy. I did not want it to be talked about, among strangers by your name so have christened it "Bruna Brunelleschi" of course bearing on the dark complexion. I did think of calling it "Vittora Colonna" who I find was certainly the original of those heads by M.A. which are portraits of you but I thought it would not do to tackle Mike" (from 'Unpublished Letters to Jane Morris', British Museum).

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge