25 October 2019

Edward_Burne-Jones_Maria_Zambaco_1870

The final of our five ‘unknown’ pre-Raphaelite women is Maria Zambaco (1843-1914). Reading about her is rather depressing and it is hard to think of much good to say about her. That is probably cruel, but compared with the previous four women this week she seems petulant and spoilt and difficult. Here and here are a couple of pieces about her which probably, if read carefully, would make one feel far better about Maria. But still. Here she is as Psyche painted by Burne-Jones. (She was apparently a painter and a sculptor in her own right but very little survives.)