Evelyn De Morgan 1855 - 1919
Born Evelyn Pickering, she married the potter and ceramic artist William De Morgan in 1887 with whom she lived in London until his death in 1917.
De Morgan was a Pre-Raphaelite painter who painted mostly literay and religious subjects.
Helen of Troy, 1898
In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta, was abducted by Paris, the son of the Trojan King Priam. This sparked the Trojan War, immortalsied by Homer in the Iliad. It was Christopher Marlowe (English playwright 1564-1593) who first used the phrase "the face that launched a thousand ships" about Helen.
There is disagreement amongst scholars (and historical sources) as to whether or not Helen went willing with Paris. The symbolism in this painting seems to suggest that De Morgan chose to depict Helen as innocent - white roses in art symbolise purity while the doves represent peace and innocence. The mirror can stand for either truth or vanity.
The painting is at The De Morgan Centre in London (Currently you cannot view the collection online, but you can visit in person and see work by both Evelyn and William De Morgan.
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