Rossetti’s Wombat Seated in his Master’s Lap 1871

Curator: William Bell Scott gifted us this intriguing sketch, "Rossetti’s Wombat Seated in his Master’s Lap." The image, currently held in the Tate Collections, gives us a glimpse into a unique Pre-Raphaelite pet portrait. Editor: My first impression is the unexpected tenderness. Despite the rough sketch lines, the wombat has an almost regal posture sitting on the lap. Curator: The image challenges Victorian sensibilities, doesn't it? Rossetti's choice of a wombat as a pet spoke to his eccentric tastes, a conscious rebellion against societal norms. Editor: Absolutely! The wombat, a creature foreign to the English countryside, becomes a symbol of Rossetti's artistic nonconformity. I see this as an animal familiar, like a muse, or a living emblem of the artist's identity. Curator: Precisely! Furthermore, the drawing itself questions ideas of ownership and control by subverting our traditional relationship between man and animal. Editor: Looking at this from the perspective of animal symbolism, I note that it is not really known as a mascot with a clear and direct meaning, which is perhaps why Rossetti choose it for himself. Curator: True, and thinking of the broader narrative, this animal serves as a poignant reminder that our own personal identities might not align with popular culture as well. Editor: Agreed, making this small sketch such a thought-provoking piece!