Focus on The Beloved (Rossetti) and discuss the The models.
Rossetti mostly used a small group of models, and often changed the model during the development of a work, as he did with Venus Verticordia, and even repainted the face with a different one some years after initial completion, as with Lady Lilith slightly later. In both cases the final model was the redhead Alexa Wilding.  There is some disagreement as to whose was the final face used for the central figure. He seems to have begun with Marie Ford, but may have changed to Alexa Wilding; the hair colour suggests this. Rossetti's brother said it was an (otherwise unknown) "Miss MacKenzie".The known models for the six figures include: Alexa Wilding (front, the bride) - see above
Ellen Smith (left)
Marie Ford (back left)
Fanny Eaton (1835–1924) (back right)
Keomi Gray (1849–1914) (front right)While the other models are looking directly at the viewer, that is to say the bridegroom, Gray is the only one who has her head turned away to the side. She was a Romani (gypsy). It has been claimed that she has her face turned away to symbolize the resistance from the stereotypes that Romani people faced during this time, and that it also shows Rossetti's uncertainties about the sexuality of gypsies and his broader interest in Romani culture.Fanny Eaton was the model for the half-seen face at the back between the central bride and Keomi Gray at the right. She was born in Jamaica, probably to a recently-emancipated slave mother, and a father who was a British soldier.  She was used as a model by several artists, whose depictions of her striking features varied her skin tones to suit their subjects; she was painted as the mother of Moses, and as an African slave.  She married a cab-driver in 1859, and when not modelling worked as a cook and cleaner.  
Both male and female children were used as models for the initial studies of the child attendant. Gabriel is the name of one of the children who modelled for this figure.
Fanny Eaton Romani people Romani Alexa Wilding Jamaica Moses Venus Verticordia Lady Lilith