The Ponte-Vecchio, Florence

William Holman Hunt (1827-1910) was a founder member of the group of artists known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. After they disbanded in the 1850s Hunt was the only member to continue to pursue the concept of 'truth to nature' that had been the central aim of the brotherhood. At the end of 1865 Hunt married Fanny Waugh, and they embarked on a tour. They went first to Egypt, but Fanny was already pregnant and by the time they reached Florence, Italy, on their return home it was clear that they would have to remain there for some time. Although the birth was a difficult one, a son survived. Fanny, however, died of fever at the end of 1866. Hunt returned to London the following September, having designed his wife's tomb and painted this view of the Ponte Vecchio, Florence - the city in which the couple had spent such a happy, if brief, time.