mourning heart mourning heart fully titled mourning heart murder husband oil painting british artist finished principal piece works displayed exhibition final ambitious attempts secure reputation genre painter depicts dramatic moment expected work acclaimed masterpiece dramatic painting work met criticism ridicule catalogue exhibition works gallery criticism described critical artist suffered analysis mourning heart illustrates scene tale day medieval collection short stories italian author poet seated ornate wooden table wearing pearl flowing silk called original tale heroine probable modelled wife jane golden containing heart murdered husband servant page court father prince father discovered secretly angrily ordered men murder low born heart delivered golden cup despite having committed die tear realises father murdered husband adds poison cup containing heart commits suicide drinking claimed long interested story appeared england versions century popular translated volume adapted english stage commissioning painting works commissioned sir 1st earl previously commissioned painting allowing select subject price lord chose paint satirical virtue danger known lady stake play echoes marriage mode shows army officer offering aristocratic lady chance recover fortune lost gambling loses lover saw painting studio asked paint picture terms chose topic painting said painted mourning heart aim proving equal works old italian masters intending painting leg table painting figure carved emerging ornate decoration reminiscent self portrait artist painting comic muse attempt insert picture making overt connection old masters sir paid old master auction painting supposedly doubted later proved correct painting considered priced line paid version time spent creating days appears working finishing period contributed eventual loss interest presented piece rejected ostensibly striking constantly having eyes melancholy ideas arise mind disgust released bargain reception exhibited painting press reports placed supporters enthusiastic mourning heart attacked critics marked attempt emulate drama depicted older italian paintings ridiculous critics repulsed shocking contrast melancholy beauty bloody organ touched said placed attendant painting note remarks viewers changes painting suggest responded criticisms altering work impossible changes painting exhibited critics work critic writer admired compared portrayal fallen saw somber grief dignity suppressed tear settled meditation fate meant meet warmth turned holy despair dismissed human helpless victim hand days exhibition replaced painting member fourth piece election series unable sell painting considered selling based subscription ticket depicting sold recalled march abandoned project having failed find produce plates instructed widow sell canvas death painting passed cousin sold auction publisher exhibited published painting sold acquired bequeathed alterations number alterations visible naked eye piece paper edge table clearly visible outline despite having painted detailing table index finger bent touching heart straightened outline tip visible surface heart looped cord right hand corner poorly concealed layer paint known attempt critics fingers blood previously longer visible
Sigismunda mourning over the Heart of Guiscardo