Rossetti’s “very best picture” returns to City of London’s art gallery
One of the most sought-after artworks at Guildhall Art Gallery is set to be unveiled to the public in the City this week, following its showcase in two prominent exhibitions in London and the USA dedicated to the life and works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
This renowned painting, titled La Ghirlandata, will be reintroduced at Guildhall Art Gallery, owned by the City of London Corporation, on International Women’s Day – Friday, 8 March. To celebrate the return of the artwork, the gallery will host free family activities on Saturday, 9 March.
Described by Rossetti himself as his “very best picture,” La Ghirlandata had been loaned to Tate Britain for exhibitions in London and Delaware Art Museum, both dedicated to ‘The Rossettis.’ The oil-on-canvas masterpiece from 1873 portrays a garlanded woman playing an arpanetta and gazing directly at the viewer. The central figure, inspired by the actor and model Alexa Wilding, is surrounded by ‘angels’ posed by May Morris, the youngest daughter of William and Jane Morris.
Acquired by the City of London Corporation in 1927 for its permanent art collection, La Ghirlandata typically graces the gallery’s main Victorian exhibition space. Bank of America’s Art Conservation Grant in 2018 facilitated an extensive restoration of the painting, including scientific paint analysis and visual imaging.
Munsur Ali, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, expressed his hope that visitors to Tate Britain and Delaware Art Museum had enjoyed this Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece. Among the remarkable Victorian and contemporary artworks in the gallery, ‘La Ghirlandata’ stands out as one of its crown jewels and an iconic piece in the collection.
Guildhall Art Gallery plays a vital role in the City’s cultural landscape and aligns with the City of London Corporation’s Destination City program, aiming to establish the Square Mile as a leading leisure destination. As one of the largest funders of heritage and cultural activities in the UK, the City Corporation invests over £130m annually and manages various cultural and heritage institutions, including the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery, London Metropolitan Archives, and Keats House. Additionally, it supports institutions such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London.