Pre-Raphaelite mural uncovered in William Morris' Red House

A mural believed to have been created by William Morris (1834-1896) and his Pre-Raphaelite friends has been uncovered at the artist's Red House in Kent, UK.

William Morris red House painting
For years, just two figures from the mural were known, with the rest concealed by wallpaper and furniture



Previously, just two figures from the mural were known, with the majority concealed behind a cupboard and covered in wallpaper.

However, the National Trust has since received funding to undertake conservation work, which led to the complete six by eight foot painting being revealed.

The piece covers one wall of what was Morris and his wife Jane's bedroom. It depicts biblical figures such as Adam and Eve, Noah, and Rachel and Jacob.

"The concept of the overall design was almost certainly by Morris," house manager James Breslin commented.

"Our initial thoughts are that the figure of Jacob was by Morris, Rachel possibly by Elizabeth Siddal, Noah by Madox Brown. But who painted Adam and Eve? Maybe Rossetti or Burne-Jones?"

On November 19, Sotheby's will offer Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Proserpine - the defining image of the Pre-Raphaelite movement.

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