3-009-062 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Winter Exhibition, Pall-Mall: "Morning", by Dicksee, 1862. Engraving of a painting. '...the morning of life...just opening from the maiden bud into the flower of womanhood...that pretty modern modification of the Montero hat, and its buckled black plumes dancing at every step, which, worn by young persons, gives by contrast such brilliancy to the peachlike complexion; lastly, held in the hand, that single spray of lily of the valley - fit emblem of sweet-scented innocence and spotless virginal purity - all telling in rainbow tints and dulcet harmonies of hope, youth, health, of wholehearted peace, and the bliss of young existence. The face, retaining its girlish grace yet borrowing a riper loveliness, suggests the very impersonation of morning, tinged with the flush of health and mantling roseate, like a fleecy cloud at dawn; the lips are a rosebud itself, pouting to "dispart" the eyes like nothing under under the morning azure, save the little starry forget-me-not; the hair is of course auburn - the auburn of the poets. It is a face, in short, not ideal, not classical, but of a romantic yet natural loveliness which, when seen in extreme youth, should be a sufficient excuse for even a wilder rhapsody than that in which we indulge'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.