Which literary sources inspired Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s paintings during the 1850s?

During the 1850s, Dante Gabriel Rossetti shifted his focus from traditional religious themes to subjects drawn from a variety of literary sources, which allowed him greater freedom for imaginative interpretation.1

His primary literary inspirations during this decade included:

• William Shakespeare: Rossetti frequently turned to scenes from Shakespeare’s plays for his subject matter.1
• Robert Browning: The works of this poet served as a significant source for his paintings.1
• Dante Alighieri: The writings of the Italian poet remained a foundational influence on his artistic themes.1
• Sir Thomas Malory: Toward the latter half of the 1850s, Malory’s Morte Darthur became a major inspiration, leading Rossetti to evoke an imaginary Arthurian epoch in his work.1
• Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Tennyson’s Idylls of the King also played a key role in shaping his Arthurian-themed paintings and illustrations during this period.1

These literary influences helped Rossetti move toward a romanticized vision of the medieval past, a shift that eventually defined the second phase of the Pre-Raphaelite movement.1