Found, about 1854

Found, about 1854 by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882). Oil on panel.

This unfinished oil painting by Rossetti relates to one of his major unrealised artistic projects. It deals with a modern moral subject on the theme of the fallen woman in contemporary life. Rossetti felt it was important to tackle subjects like this in his art. Fanny Cornforth, Rossetti’s mistress, modelled for the woman. It was inspired by his poem ‘There is a budding morrow in midnight’ and was commissioned by Francis MacCracken in 1853 but abandoned by Rossetti a year later.

Modern moral subjects were popular with the Pre-Raphaelites during the 1850s. William Holman Hunt exhibited his painting The Awakening Conscience at the Royal Academy in 1854. Rossetti was concerned that this painting would be seen as an imitation of Hunt’s picture and never completed it. Rossetti felt the subject was important and attempted this final large version in oils which he failed to complete before his death. James Leathart took over the commission in 1859 and William Graham finally took it over in 1867. Burne-Jones, among others, helped to complete it and it is now in Delaware Art Museum in America.

In this version the story reveals itself. It shows an intense confrontation between a man and a woman. A farmer brings his calf to market over Blackfriar’s Bridge in London at dawn. He comes across a woman he once loved who has become a prostitute. The woman recognises him and tries to hide from him against a brick wall. The helpless calf trapped in the cart travelling to market to be sold symbolises the past and present life of the girl.