Portrait of William Rossetti (orange) 1853

Dante Gabriel Rossetti drew this portrait of his brother William in pencil, on April 12th 1853. As a portrait, this likeness carries a particular social significance, beyond the brotherly bond. In the 19th century, portraiture became increasingly democratized. Consider this work within the context of Victorian England, where social mobility was accelerating, and new institutions like the National Portrait Gallery emerged to reflect this shift. The Rossetti family, with their artistic and intellectual pursuits, embodied this changing landscape. Here, William's steady gaze and formal attire speak to middle-class aspirations. Portraits like these became ways for individuals to assert their place in society. Art historians consult a range of sources to understand these dynamics, from census records to exhibition reviews, shedding light on the complex interplay between art, identity, and social change.