The Illustrations for Christina Rossetti's Poems

George P. Landow, Professor of English and Art History, Brown University

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Goblin Market

The illustrations for Christina Rossetti's best-known poem include both those created for the original edition by her brother, Dante Gabriel, and those created more than three decades later by Laurence Housman:

• Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Buy from Us with a Golden Curl
• Dante Gabriel Rossetti,Golden Head by Golden Head
• Laurence Houseman, Looking at goblin men
• Laurence Housman, Come Buy
• Laurence Housman, Come Buy
• Laurence Housman, Come Buy
• Frank Craig, Goblin Market

Whereas Rossetti's pick up and emphasize the ambiguous sensuality of the poem, Housman's concentrate instead upon the grotesque. Upon consideration, other obvious differences appear as well: The poet's brother depicts the relation between the two women, but Housman devotes most of his effort to representing the male figures.

More Recent Illustrations

• "'For there is no friend like a sister': Re-Presenting the Concept of Sisterhood through Christina Rossetti's 'Goblin Market'" (women illustrators of the poem, discussed by Ester Díaz Morillo)

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Last modified 25 November 2004