Introduction

THE key family events during this year were the birth of the Wells's first child, Sidney, and the death of Bob, the youngest of the Boyce siblings. Joanna's confinement was not straightforward, and at first only one visitor, her sister Anne, was allowed. When Anne's baby, Charles, died at midnight on 25 February, his first birthday, Joanna was with her, to comfort her. In addition, both she and Henry continued to work assiduously on their submissions for the Royal Academy. Joanna's included the two landscapes she had begun at Joldens, A Homestead on the Surrey Hills (which was accepted) and No Joy the Blowing Season Gives (which was not), while Henry had eight miniatures and drawings accepted, including his painting of Clara Mordan.

George also had two landscapes accepted by the Royal Academy: At Lynmouth, North Devon and The East Lynn, at Middleham, North Devon. He was a regular visitor and support to Joanna in the weeks following her confinement, lamented that she was unable to attend the Punch and Judy show he had organised, and paid regular visits not only to Rossetti but also to Rossetti's lover and model, Fanny Cornforth. He may or may not have shared her sexual favours with his friend, but there is no doubt that they were close: a drawing by Rossetti of Fanny, leaning over George's shoulder while he paints, radiates intimacy, and on 17 January he records taking her to supper at the Argyll rooms and her trepidation lest Rossetti should come in – ‘and lo! he did so …’ Whatever the nature of his relationship with Fanny, however, George's friendship with them both led him to commission a painting of her, Bocca Baciata, from Rossetti, which would later be heralded as the earliest in a series of Aesthetic paintings of female figures.

On 26 April, George left London for Streatley-on-Thames, an ancient town with the ravishing river scenes to paint. There he would remain, on and off, until the end of the year.

Given that her relationship with her mother remained unresolved – it was not until 3 June that there was any indication of Anne Boyce's seeking a reconciliation – it was generous of Joanna to accompany her to Ilfracombe to help her care for Bob in his final days.