The Illustrations for "Goblin Market"

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

[Victorian Web Home —> Authors —> Christina Rossetti —> Works —> Theme and Subject —> Image, Symbol, and Motif]

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:

• Rossetti, [The Sisters Embracing]
• Rossetti, [Cutting a lock of hair]
• Houseman, [Looking at goblin men]
• Housman, [goblin men harvesting 1]
• Housman, [goblin men harvesting 2]

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.

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Last modified 25 November 2004