between 1865 and 1866. Oil on canvas.
Delaware Art Museum
A Look into May Margaret by Frederick Sandys
Though I have not found any analysis of Frederick Sandys’ May Margaret, I can confidently identify the model as Mary Emma Jones, the romantic partner and Pre-Raphaelite muse of painter Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys (known more commonly as Frederick Sandys). With a triplet of dainty flowers reminiscent of hepatica in her hair, Mary’s touch is as delicate as the unidentified spray of purple flowers (possibly anemones) she places over her chest.
Interestingly, anemones and hepatica belong to the Tribe Anemoneae, a taxonomic tribe within the family Ranunculaceae. If these are hepatica flowers behind her ear (in the more rare white form with purple center), they may be a nod to their botanical interest and symbolic value in the Victorian Era. During the 19th century, sprays of hepatica woven into bonnets were a common accessory and a symbol for confidence in the Victorian language of flowers. The mystery that remains is the origin of the name May Margaret.
between 1865 and 1866. Oil on canvas.
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