John Robert Parsons [1825-1909]
Irish
Jane Morris, Summer, 1865
Albumen print
6-1/2  x  5-1/2 inches

CONDITION:
Unrestored original condition.  No rips or tears.  Period antique frame.

DESCRIPTION:
Pre-Raphaelite artist and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti [1828-1882] asked fellow artist and friend William Morris [1834-1896], father of the Arts and Crafts movement, if his young wife could pose for photographs for the artist to use as reference for future works.  Eighteen known shots where taken of model Jane (Burden) Morris [1839–1914] in the summer of 1865 at Rossetti’s home and garden.  Jane was twenty-six years old and dressed and posed in a tent to help diffuse the harsh light.  This photo, famous for a series taken by the photographer John Robert Parsons [1825-1909] is an original print by the photographer from that period and NOT a reproduction.  Bridgeman photo archive owns another original copy of this work which they use to create large posters.

PROVENANCE:
ca.1981 ( David Smernoff, New Haven, CT and New York, NY ) ;
before ca.1981 Private collection of [withheld], New Haven, CT ;
ca.1865 John Robert Parsons [1825-1909], the artist / photographer .

EXHIBITION:
[unknown]