6.3 The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Victorian art
2 min read•july 24, 2024
The , founded in 1848, rejected academic art conventions and championed . Young artists like Rossetti, Hunt, and Millais pursued truth through vibrant colors and meticulous detail, challenging traditional compositions and subjects.
Key artists developed distinctive styles. Rossetti explored medieval themes, Millais painted detailed natural settings, and Hunt delved into religious . Their work influenced Victorian culture, inspiring the Aesthetic and Arts and Crafts movements, and shaped perceptions of English heritage.
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: Principles and Key Artists
Principles of Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
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- Founding principles established in 1848 by young artists (, , ) rejected Renaissance-inspired academic art and emphasized naturalism and detailed observation
- Aesthetic goals pursued through vibrant colors (vermilion, emerald green) and attention to minute details (individual blades of grass, intricate patterns on clothing)
- Rejection of academic conventions opposed formulaic compositions and avoided chiaroscuro technique embraced unconventional subjects (working-class figures, contemporary social issues)
Key Pre-Raphaelite artists and styles
- Dante Gabriel Rossetti focused on medieval and Arthurian themes () created sensual female figures with symbolic use of flowers and objects (roses for love, lilies for purity)
- John Everett Millais painted detailed natural settings and literary subjects (Ophelia) imbued portraits with psychological depth ()
- William Holman Hunt explored religious and moral themes () incorporated with meticulous attention to detail ()
- Distinctive style elements included bright, jewel-like colors (lapis lazuli blue, cadmium yellow) flat picture planes precise brushwork and complex compositions (multiple narrative scenes within a single painting)
Pre-Raphaelite Influence and Legacy
Influences on Pre-Raphaelite art
- Literary influences drew from () () and contemporary poetry (works of )
- Religious themes explored Biblical narratives () moral allegories and spiritual symbolism (The Light of the World)
- Social issues addressed women's roles in society () industrial revolution's impact (Work) and class disparities ()
- Shaping Victorian visual culture popularized medieval aesthetics influenced book illustrations (Edward Burne-Jones' designs for ) and impacted decorative arts and design (stained glass windows, textiles)
Legacy of Pre-Raphaelite movement
- Influence on emphasized beauty in everyday objects integrated art into daily life (wallpapers, furniture designs)
- Impact on revived traditional craftsmanship (hand-printed books, handwoven tapestries) inspired organic, nature-inspired designs (William Morris patterns)
- Contribution to Symbolist art encouraged use of symbolic imagery explored dreams and imagination (Burne-Jones' The Golden Stairs)
- Legacy in modern and contemporary art inspired (Angela Carter's writings) influenced narrative painting ('s works)
- Effect on British cultural identity shaped romanticized vision of English heritage molded perceptions of medieval history (idealized depictions of Arthurian legends)
Key Terms to Review (28)
A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedic play by William Shakespeare that explores themes of love, fantasy, and the complexity of human relationships. Set in Athens and a magical forest inhabited by fairies, the play intertwines the lives of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, and the mischievous fairy Puck, highlighting the contrasts between reality and illusion, as well as the transformative power of love in a Victorian context.
Aesthetic movement: The aesthetic movement was a late 19th-century cultural and artistic movement that emphasized beauty and sensory experience over moral or narrative content. This movement was a reaction against the utilitarian and moralistic approaches of Victorian art and literature, focusing instead on art for art's sake. It encouraged artists to prioritize aesthetic value and personal expression, influencing various disciplines including visual arts, literature, and design.
Alfred Tennyson: Alfred Tennyson was a prominent British poet known for his lyric poetry and dramatic monologues, serving as Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. His works reflect the themes of nature, love, and loss, often infused with a sense of melancholy and a fascination with medievalism, making significant contributions to Victorian art and literature.
Arthurian legends: Arthurian legends are a collection of stories and myths surrounding the figure of King Arthur, his knights of the Round Table, and their adventures. These tales blend history and folklore, often highlighting themes of chivalry, romance, and heroism, while reflecting the values and ideals of medieval society. They serve as a rich source of inspiration for various art movements, particularly in the context of Victorian art.
Arts and crafts movement: The arts and crafts movement was a design philosophy that emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing handmade craftsmanship and traditional techniques as a reaction against industrialization and mass production. It aimed to promote the value of the individual artist and craftsman, highlighting the importance of aesthetics, functionality, and materials in everyday objects, which played a vital role in reshaping British art and design during this period.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti: Dante Gabriel Rossetti was a British poet, illustrator, painter, and a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, known for his vivid and emotive works that challenged the conventions of Victorian art. His contributions significantly shaped the aesthetic movement in the 19th century, emphasizing a return to nature and the use of rich color palettes, which directly linked him to the broader trends in British and French art during that time.
Industrialization: Industrialization is the process by which economies transition from primarily agrarian societies to ones focused on manufacturing and industry. This shift brought about significant changes in production methods, urbanization, and societal structures, impacting culture, art, and the economy.
John Everett Millais: John Everett Millais was a British painter and one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, known for his vivid colors and attention to detail. His work exemplified the movement’s desire to return to the detailed observation of nature and complex symbolism, making significant contributions to Victorian art and aesthetics.
Magical realism: Magical realism is a literary and artistic genre that incorporates fantastical elements into a realistic setting, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary. This style often presents magical elements as a natural part of everyday life, challenging the boundaries between reality and fantasy. It allows for an exploration of deeper truths and emotions, often reflecting cultural and societal issues in an imaginative way.
Medievalism: Medievalism is the revival or interpretation of medieval art, literature, architecture, and culture in later periods, particularly during the 19th century. This movement often idealized the Middle Ages, reflecting a fascination with chivalry, romanticism, and the spiritual aspects of that era. It influenced various artistic movements, particularly as a reaction against industrialization and modernity.
Naturalism: Naturalism is an artistic movement and philosophy that seeks to represent subjects as they appear in nature, emphasizing realism and detail in depiction. This approach often includes a focus on the natural world, human experience, and the influence of environment on behavior, reflecting a shift towards a more truthful representation of life in art.
Paula Rego: Paula Rego is a Portuguese-British visual artist known for her powerful and often provocative paintings and prints that explore themes of femininity, sexuality, and power dynamics. Her work frequently draws on folklore, literature, and personal experiences, reflecting complex narratives that challenge traditional representations of women in art.
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was a group of English artists founded in 1848, aiming to reform art by rejecting the academic standards of the Royal Academy and drawing inspiration from earlier art, particularly before Raphael. This movement emphasized vivid colors, complex compositions, and detailed realism, while also focusing on themes of nature, literature, and medievalism, significantly influencing the evolution of British painting styles and themes.
Shakespeare's Plays: Shakespeare's plays are a collection of theatrical works written by William Shakespeare between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, including tragedies, comedies, and histories. These plays are renowned for their complex characters, intricate plots, and profound exploration of themes such as love, power, jealousy, and the human condition, making them central to the study of literature and performance art.
Symbolic imagery: Symbolic imagery refers to the use of symbols within visual art to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotional responses. It employs various elements, such as color, composition, and subject matter, to represent complex ideas or themes beyond their literal interpretations. In the context of artistic movements, this technique enables artists to communicate their messages about society, morality, and personal experiences in a more profound way.
Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary and artistic movement that emphasizes the use of symbols to represent ideas and emotions beyond their literal meaning. In art, symbolism serves as a powerful tool to convey deeper meanings, provoke thought, and evoke feelings in viewers. This approach became particularly significant in the context of various artistic movements, influencing the way artists express complex themes through visual representation.
The awakening conscience: The awakening conscience refers to a moment of realization or moral awakening experienced by a character, often depicted in art and literature. This concept is particularly significant in the context of Victorian art, where it represents themes of self-awareness, social responsibility, and the struggle against societal norms, reflecting broader changes in British painting styles and narratives during the 19th century.
The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple: The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple is a biblical narrative that describes the moment when Jesus, as a child, is found in the Temple of Jerusalem after being lost by his parents for three days. This scene highlights themes of enlightenment and divine wisdom, showcasing Jesus’ profound understanding of religious teachings at a young age. This story has been a significant subject in art, particularly during the Victorian era and among the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, who sought to capture its emotional depth and spiritual significance.
The Girlhood of Mary Virgin: The Girlhood of Mary Virgin is a notable painting created by the Pre-Raphaelite artist, William Holman Hunt, depicting the young Virgin Mary in a serene and contemplative moment before her divine mission. The artwork reflects the ideals of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, emphasizing detail, vibrant colors, and spiritual themes, while also highlighting the importance of femininity and purity within Victorian art.
The Lady of Shalott: The Lady of Shalott is a character from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, which tells the story of a woman who lives in a tower and is cursed to only see the world through a mirror, unable to engage directly with it. This narrative explores themes of isolation, artistic creativity, and the consequences of longing for direct experience, all of which resonate with the ideals of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Victorian art's focus on emotion and symbolism.
The Last of England: 'The Last of England' is a significant painting created by Ford Madox Brown in 1855, symbolizing the struggles and anxieties faced by the English during the Victorian era. This work reflects themes of social change, emigration, and the tension between tradition and modernity, encapsulating the emotional landscape of a nation grappling with its identity amid rapid transformations. The painting serves as a critical commentary on the political and social issues of the time, aligning with evolving British painting styles and the ideals promoted by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
The Light of the World: The Light of the World is a prominent painting created by the Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt in 1851. This artwork represents Jesus Christ standing at a door, symbolizing the invitation to faith and redemption, while also embodying the Pre-Raphaelite emphasis on detailed naturalism and spiritual themes.
The order of release: The order of release refers to the sequence in which artworks, particularly those associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, were exhibited or made public. This concept is crucial as it highlights the evolving perceptions of Victorian art, the public's reception to new styles, and how these artists challenged traditional norms in their work. Understanding the order of release provides insight into how the Pre-Raphaelites positioned themselves within the art world and how they influenced subsequent artistic movements.
The scapegoat: A scapegoat is an individual or group that is unfairly blamed for problems or negative outcomes, often to divert attention or responsibility from the actual source. This concept is prevalent in various contexts, including art and literature, where it symbolizes the societal tendency to assign blame for complex issues, often leading to further marginalization of the scapegoated individuals.
Truth to nature: Truth to nature is an artistic concept emphasizing an accurate and honest depiction of the natural world, valuing realism and authenticity in representation. This idea became particularly significant in the context of Victorian art, as it challenged the conventional approaches to art that often relied on idealization and abstraction, promoting a deeper connection with the real environment and experiences.
Victorian Morality: Victorian morality refers to the set of social norms and values that characterized the Victorian era, particularly in relation to issues of sexuality, gender roles, family structure, and respectability. This moral framework emphasized propriety, modesty, and a strict code of conduct, which influenced art and literature during this time, particularly as seen in movements like the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood that sought to challenge and redefine traditional ideals.
William Holman Hunt: William Holman Hunt was a British painter and one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group that aimed to reform art by returning to the detail, intense colors, and complex compositions found in medieval art. His work often featured vivid storytelling and symbolism, making him a pivotal figure in Victorian art and the Pre-Raphaelite movement.
William Morris: William Morris was an influential British designer, poet, and social activist, known for his role in the Arts and Crafts Movement during the late 19th century. He emphasized the importance of craftsmanship and design in everyday objects, advocating for a return to handmade goods as a reaction against industrialization. His vision shaped Victorian art and collection development, promoting aesthetic values that celebrated beauty and utility in the decorative arts.