Elizabeth Siddall in Matlock

If you are a Pre-Raphaelite devotee (and if not, see me after class) then you probably know that Elizabeth Siddall spent some time in Matlock in 1857-8, drawing and resting and enjoying the air and the views (oh, especially the views!) Some of the time, Dante Gabriel Rossetti was with her, and some of the time she was on her own. They stayed at Lime Tree View, a large guest house, and Glenda Youde, along with the residents of the house (now 3 houses), and the Civic Society, have had a blue plaque installed to note the history of the building (which later became a ‘hydro’ - for invalids requiring hydropathic treatment - more information here).

The area looks somewhat different now, but the chimneys are the same, and so is the view, more or less (a castle has been added since then - another hydro on the hill). I was pleased to be able to attend a talk by Glenda about Siddall and Rossetti’s time in Matlock, followed by the unveiling of the plaque, and it’s great to have the buildings recognised for their history as well as a significant Pre-Raphaelite connection. You can see Glenda unveiling the plaque in this clip.

Glenda’s research has led her to look at works that may have been created by Siddall in Matlock, and she points out that Lady Affixing a Pennant to a Knight’s Spear (1858, Tate) seems very obviously to have the view from Lime Tree View through the window (before the castle), as well as windows which are similar to those at Haddon Hall, which the couple visited.

The owners of the house had a reception afterwards so I was able to take in the marvellous view from their sitting room and terrace, and think of Siddall doing the same. These little traces of history are all around, and I’m always delighted and impressed when people follow them up and share them, putting places such as Lime Tree View on the (Pre-Raphaelite) map.