Pre-Raphaelites

Raphael The Transfiguration Hunt said it "should be condemned for its grandiose disregard of the simplicity of truth, the pompous posturing of the apostles and the unspiritual posture of the Saviour." THEY DID NOT LIKE THIS! They wanted to return to art as it had been before Raphael, free from all academic way. What did that look like?

Pre-Raphaelites Characteristics: The Pre-Raphealite Brotherhood consisted of three main artists: Rossetti, Hunt and Millais. Together they founded Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848. They chose the name as a reminder that the group would concentrate its criticism on a painting by Raphael (1483-1520),The Transfiguration (1518-1520, Vatican Museums). Truth to nature - meant the meticulous rendition of everything exactly as nature made it, one needs to be immersed in nature in direct observation to represent it. Preference to Significant Theme - these were often moral and religious. Art as a means of conveying high moral principles and ideals to the people. The use of many symbols and literary references, literary and poetic reference Detail and Complexity – artist did not spare details Many details are symbolic, and are put in to add layers of meaning. Love and Beauty – themes of love and beauty Honesty and Feeling: they believed art should have a ‘soul’ and wanted restore the heart, the passion and true beauty in works of art. a contemporary look sharp and brilliant lighting, almost photographic Bright colours and evenly lit paintings A return to before Raphael therefore, medieval concepts of emotion and tragedy.

WORKS THEY ADMIRED! It was medieval art, and in particular the art of the Italian primitive painters, that they regarded as the model of purity and freedom. (ie, the works of Giotto)

Rossetti Dante Gabriele Rossetti A founder member of the Pre-Raphaelites

John Everett Millais.

John Everett Millais. Ophelia. (1851-1852) Oil on canvas Technical: Used a real model posing in a bath full of water, pretending to be dead, the model became very ill. Paints flowers accurately, he stays true to nature Very detailed About the Artist: founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood About the work: Painting of Ophelia, Hamlet’s drowned lover (from Shakespeare’s play) Each flower is symbolic (daisy = innocence, willow = forsaken love, nettles = pain, violets = faithfulness / chastity / death, rose = youth / love / beauty

John William Waterhouse. Hylas and the Nymphs. (1896) Oil on canvas. Technical: True to Nature Detailed works About the Artist: Known for his depictions of Classical myths and Arthurian legends Continued to paint in Pre-Raphaelite style after it was no longer in fashion (actually contemporary with the Impressionists) About the Work: From the classical Greek story of Hercules – this image is about Hylas, a companion of Hercules, who leaves the ship of the Argomauts in search of water and is lured into a fountain occupied by Nymphs – he was never heard from or seen again.

Frederic Leighton. Flaming June. (1895) Oil on canvas. Technical: Required multiple drawings to achieve lifelike accuracy (required a nude model) About the Artist: Studied in London and Florence – highly educated and eventually knighted This piece is considered his best, capturing his classicist nature About this work: Believed to be a sleeping Nymph or Naiad that the Greeks portrayed in art The toxic Oleander branch symbolizes the link difference between death and sleeping First begun as a motif for a marble bath – later made into a painting Acquired by the Ponce Museum of Art, Puerto Rico for only $10,000 in 1963