Go Lovely Rose! Tell her that Wastes her Time and Mine 

Herbert James Draper painted this oil on canvas depicting a scene of romantic contemplation, sometime around the turn of the 20th century. Draper was an established figure in the British art scene, known for his classical and mythological subjects, but here he turns to a more contemporary, domestic scene. The title, taken from a poem about lost love, gives us a sense of the narrative, a woman in white reading a letter in a softly lit interior. This artwork reflects the Victorian era's fascination with sentimental themes and its complex attitudes toward women's roles in society, particularly in marriage. Draper’s attention to detail and the theatrical lighting were appealing to the Royal Academy. To fully understand Draper's work, it is necessary to delve into the Victorian art market, its exhibition culture, and the social norms that shaped both the production and reception of art. Only then can we truly appreciate the layers of meaning embedded within it.