Painter Alexander Mark Rossi was born in 1840 on the Greek Island of Corfu, the son of an Italian judge who was employed by the British there. On a visit to Britain in 1866, Rossi met Jane Gillow in Preston. He decided to remain in Britain, initially taking employment at the local art school. Between 1871 and 1873 he exhibited six paintings at the Royal Academy and moved to the capital shortly afterwards, taking up residence in Coningham Road, Shepherd’s Bush. Like many late Victorian artists, he specialised in genre paintings of domestic scenes, often involving children and young adults. He regularly used members of his family as models. He died in Golders Green in January 1916.