Victorian Garden Romances

I've always had a weak spot for the romantic painters of the 19th (and early 20th) century. I guess it's partly because my mother has a small collection of books about Rossetti and the Pre-Raphaelites, Mucha etc. I especially like the garden scenes, mostly showing young women reading a letter or embroidering amongst the roses. Or young couples sitting across of each other, looking sad. Why do people look sad, or at the very least really melancholic, on a lot Victorian paintings? It has something to do with the ''romantic spirit'' I guess. Anyways, here's two beautiful garden scenes for you to enjoy!

Edmund Blair Leighton: ''The Ticket'' (year: ?)
















Marcus Stone: ''In Love'' (1888)