The most erudite journal on the current gothic scene!

In the Library (1872) by Auguste Toulmouche (French artist, lived 1829–1890). Some serious reading going on, I suspect she's forgetten she's supposed to be going out.

The Apparition (1876-77) by Gustave Moreau (French artist, lived 1826–1898). Salome danced in front of King Herod and his guests - and the dance delighted Herod so much he rashly promised her anything she wanted. Oh dear.

The Japanese Robe (c. 1872) by Alfred Stevens (Belgian artist, lived 1823–1906). A young woman in an elegant blue kimono standing in front of a mirror.

Gossip (1911) by John William Waterhouse (English artist, lived 1848–1917). Also known as 'Good neighbours' or 'Washing Day'.

Portrait of Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland (1904) by John Singer Sargent (American artist, lived 1856–1925). A green, floral dress, with laurel leaf tiara on her red hair, with a low-cut neckline. The Duchess emerging from the natural world behind.

The Wedding Dress (1911) by Fred Elwell (English artist, lived 1870-1958). The model was Mrs Violet Press, a costumier from Beverley, Yorkshire. Sadly, after a short marriage, she lost her own husband in the First World War.

The Love Letter (1867) by Luigi Crosio (Italian artist, lived 1835–1915). 'If I could sleep with my arms around you, the ink could stay in the bottle.' - Shelly King.

May Day Morning (1890) by Edwin Austin Abbey (lived 1852-1911). American muralist, illustrator, and painter.

May Day by Kate Greenaway (1846–1901). English Victorian artist and writer, known for her children's book illustrations.

Buttercups (1889) by George Elgar Hicks (English artist, lived 1824–1914). A Victorian country child holding buttercups. 🌞

Amy Robsart (1887) by Thomas Francis Dicksee (English artist, lived 1819–1895). Here we have Amy, Lady Dudley (nee Robsart, 1532–60). The first wife of Robert Dudley (favourite of England's Queen Elizabeth I). Sadly, Amy is mostly remembered for her suspicious death

The Muses Garden by Lionel Royer (French artist, lived 1852–1926). There are nine Olympian Muses - each a supernatural force that provides artistic inspiration in different areas - poetry, history, music, dance etc.

Young Woman with a Book (c. 1750) by Pietro Rotari (Italian artist, lived 1707–1762). 'She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.'

Pandora (1908) by Thomas Kennington (English artist, 1856–1916). In Greek myth - the first woman. Each god gave Pandora a unique gift. She was also given a box containing every misery and evil.

The Lady in Pink (1867) by Alfred Stevens (Belgium artist, lived 1823–1906). Or "La Dame en rose". What is she up to?

The harbour in Trieste [Italy] (1907) by Egon Schiele (Austrian artist, lived 1890-1918). Schiele was only 17 when he painted this - sadly he passed away from the Spanish flu aged 28.

Spring (Apple Blossoms) [1859] by John Everett Millais (English artist, lived 1829–1896). A fleeting moment of youth and renewal - with hints of the passage of time. Today is the first day of #spring! 🙂

Flora (1892) by Alphonse Mucha (Czech artist, lived 1860–1939). The artist lived in Paris during the Art Nouveau period.

Repose (1895) by John White Alexander (American artist, lived 1856–1915). A graceful sweep of white fabric and supple curves.

The irritating gentleman (1874) by Berthold Woltze (German artist, lived 1829-1896). And in mourning dress, too. Tch.

The Ball by Gaston de La Touche (French artist, lived 1854-1913). The late 19th century was an optimistic time in Paris and became known as La Belle Époque ‘the beautiful time’.

Marchesa Luisa Casati, with a greyhound (1908) by Giovanni Boldini (Italian artist, lived 1842–1931). Back in 1995 this could have been yours for a mere £1.2 million.

Portrait of princess Marthe-Lucile Bibesco (1911) by Giovanni Boldini (Italian artist, lived 1842–1931). "Oh, just something I threw together—"

Sweet Solitude (1919) by Edmund Blair Leighton (English artist, lived 1852–1922). 'Mistress Mary always felt that however many years she lived she should never forget that first morning when her garden began to grow.' - Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden.

The Enchantress (1878) by Luis Ricardo Falero (Spanish artist, lived 1851-1896). Contemplating the week ahead.

The Breakfast (1911) by William McGregor Paxton (American artist, lived 1869–1941). Looks like there's a bit of an atmosphere here.

Blackman Street, London (1885) by Atkinson Grimshaw (English, 1836–1893). According to Christies, the painting shows what is now part of Borough High Street, and the Church of St George the Martyr. Dickens lived nearby and set several scenes from his novel Little Dorrit in and around the church.

Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler (Mrs. John Jay Chapman) - 1893 - by John Singer Sargent (American artist, lived 1856–1925). According to the artist she had ‘the face of the Madonna and the eyes of a child.’

Study at a Reading Desk (1877) by Frederic Lord Leighton (English artist, lived 1830-1896). The reading desk was probably a Koran stand from the artist's own collection.

Strolling along the Seashore (1909) by Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish artist, lived 1863–1923). The artist’s wife and daughter. Floating draperies, a sandy seashore and wide-brimmed straw hats. What more could you ask?

A Meadow Flower (1912) by John White Alexander (American artist, lived 1856–1915). "A meadow is a place so still - Where dreams are left to roam at will."

The Little Foot Page (1905) by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale (English artist, lived 1872-1945). Dressed in male attire and poised to cut her long hair to pass as a boy, she stands in the woods, her discarded dress and wimple lying at her feet.

The Red Book (c. 1901) by John Lavery (Irish artist, lived 1856–1941). The sitter is Mary Auras, here engrossed in a book, an intimate moment.

In the Bedroom (1910) by Peter Ilsted (Danish artist, lived 1861-1933). Getting up or turning in, I wonder? 🤔

The Painter's Honeymoon (1864) by Frederic Leighton (English artist, lived 1830–1896). Intertwines love and art, capturing the intimate connection between the two.

Elegante sur les quais de Seine (c. 1900) by Victor Gabriel Gilbert (French artist, lived 1847–1933). Near the river Seine. As this lady knows, bad weather is never an excuse for bad style.

Maybe something to poison her husband...

The Maid (1862) by Wilhelm Amber (German artist, lived 1822-1899). Strictly for medicinal purposes, I hope. 🙃

Portrait of a girl (1896) by Arthur Hacker (English artist, lived 1858–1919). A quiet moment.

No, she wants poison. It’s from Robert Browning’s poem, The Laboratory.

The Laboratory (1895) by John Collier (English artist and writer, lived 1850–1934). An ancient alchemist and a young woman, locked in a tense moment. What is she seeking from his hands—a potion to preserve her youth? Painted in the rich, emotive style of the #PreRaphaelites.

Neptune, from the Story of Ulysses (1549-51) by Pellegrino Tibaldi (Italian architect, sculptor + mural painter, 1527-1596). Fresco. Reminds me of William Blake.

Friends (early 1900s) by Hanna Hirsch (Swedish artist, lived 1864–1940). Ellen Key, a philosopher, reading to her friends in Stockholm - she felt that the home should be a model for the whole of society.

Sirens (1900) by Sir James Jebusa Shannon (Anglo-American artist, lived 1862–1923). 'Not even the most ridiculously cautious mariner .. need be concerned to steer clear of sirens so benevolent and so bewitching' [as these] - Evening Standard newspaper, 1900.

Qui M'Aime Me Suit (1891) by Edmund Blair Leighton (English artist, lived 1852–1922). Or - If you love me, follow me.

A Quiet Day in the Studio (1885) by John Lavery (Irish artist, lived 1856–1941). Reading in front of a roaring fire - a pleasing day.

Nightly Walk of the Monks to the Mountain Monastery Athos (c. 1880) by Hermann David Salomon Corrodi (Italian artist, lived 1844-1905). Northeastern Greece. A moonlit return home.

Sleeping Beauty (1899) by Victor Gabriel Gilbert (French artist, lived 1847-1933). A 700 year old fairy tale about a princess cursed by a wicked fairy to sleep for a hundred years before being awoken by a handsome prince. 😴 💤

Sappho (1877) by Charles Mengin (French artist, lived 1853–1933). Ancient Greek poet, born around 600 BC. According to a sad legend she threw herself off a cliff and into the sea from unrequited love.