Still in the same vein--of "Women and Flowers"--is the next great picture begun in 1864, the _Venus Verticordia_. The principal version of this, an oil painting, was not finished until some time in 1868. The earliest in point of date is a little water-colour commissioned as a replica, which was delivered during the year. The picture represents the goddess of beauty undraped and standing in a bower of clustering honeysuckle which hides her to the waist. In her left hand she holds an apple, in her right a dart upon which is poised a sulphur butterfly. Others are hovering round. Behind is the grove of Venus, and a blue bird winging its way through space. The remaining productions of 1864 are all in water-colour. They include _Morning Music_, _Monna Pomona_, _Sir Galahad_, _Sir Bors_, and _Sir Percival_--belonging to Rossetti's earlier manner; _Roman de la Rose_, and _The Madness of Ophelia_, a scene representing Laertes leading Ophelia away, whilst the king and queen are looking on. In 1865 was painted the _Blue Bower_, a picture of the _Lilith_ group, done from the _Lilith_ model, and representing in a setting of gorgeous blue and green harmonies a woman playing upon a dulcimer. _The Merciless Lady_, which was painted in 1865, is a return to Rossetti's early romantic compositions, and is a particularly charming specimen. Nor was it his only water-colour of this year, though indisputably the best. For Mr. Craven he painted the subject called _Washing Hands_--with the exception of _Dr. Johnson at the Mitre_, his one experiment in (eighteenth century costume. Another called _A Fight for a Woman_, is one of Rossetti's most spirited drawings. In point of invention this design goes back to very early days, as is proved by the existence of tentative sketches dating from about 1853. To the same date belongs the oil painting called originally _Bella e Buona_, but renamed by Rossetti _Il Ramoscello_ in 1873, when it was taken back by him for retouching. It is a half-length figure, dressed in slate green, and holding an acorn branch. [Illustration: THE BELOVED.] We now come to one of the most beautiful pictures, if not the most beautiful, that Rossetti ever painted--_The Beloved_. No one who has not seen it, with a warm sunlight bringing out its colour, can form the most remote conception of its brilliance. "I mean it to be like jewels," wrote Rossetti to its late owner, Mr. Rae; and jewel-like it flashes. The picture itself is described in a later chapter, amongst those selected for illustration.