The Pre-Raphaelites---the PRB British, s Moralists and Rebels Craftsmen Lovers of light Nature painters Worshippers of the Medieval Age/ Christian virtues

In 1848, a year of rebellions across all of Europe, seven young and impetuous artists formed a secret society in England, The Brotherhood of the Pre-Raphaelites They were accomplished artists who submitted their works to the Royal Academy, using the secret initials “PRB.” Proserpine/ Persephone Underworld Goddess (by Zeus and Demeter) who, through the lure of a pomegranate, visits Hades for 4 months of the year

The Pre-Raphaelites opposed what they felt was the frivolous art of the times. To them, nature revealed the truth, so they painted directly from it, observing the smallest details of flowers, ferns and landscape. Drowning Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais Millais spent many months outdoors rendering every detail of this painting the mad Ophelia, Hamlet’s lover, sinking in the river. Lizzie Siddal froze for him as the model.

The Pre-Raphaelites created luminous color and intense light, meticulously layering thin coats of bright paint on their white canvasses. Their idol was Turner. Sir John Everett Millais The Blind Girl… judged as “perfect” by art critic Ruskin Butterfly reflects lost sensuality

Instead of taking inspiration from the Classical period, the Pre-Raphaelites found the Middle Ages and early Christian art to honor their values of craftsmanship and moral virtue. Rossetti--Before the Battle Holman Hunt--Valentine Rescuing Sylvia

Once the “Brotherhood” was discovered, the thrill was gone for most of the young artists to continue. By 1853, the mysterious PRB initials ceased to appear on paintings, but the movement itself lasted for decades, inspiring many artists.. : Two of the most famous painters of the early “Brotherhood” time period were Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Sir John Everett Millais The Girlhood of Mary Virgin, has it all….symbolism, virtue, the outdoors, luminous color a virtuous Little Red Riding Hood

Woman’s beauty inspired the Pre-Raphaelites ----embodying the ideals of chivalry, honor and virtue Elizabeth Siddal was a model who became the Pre- Raphaelite ideal woman….. Beautiful, fragile, soulful. She was subjected to long hours sitting motionlessly in the cold outdoors, or in frozen tubs of water to capture just the right essence for the canvas. Siddal eventually married the golden boy of the Pre- Raphaelites, Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Although she was the perfect “prize,” their marriage was not happy. Siddal committed suicide by taking an overdose of laudanum. Rossetti’s guilt over Siddal’s death caused him to paint one of his most famous works, Beata Beatrix. Rossetti-The Holy Grail Rossetti-Beata Beatrix His dead wife represents Dante’s Beatrice, Experiencing the exquisite transition from earth to heaven

Ford Maddox Brown Baa Lambs Burne-Jones St. George and the Dragon Holman Hunt Awakening Conscience

Holman Hunt--The Lady of Shallot---Camelot’s doomed mistress her hair took years to complete, draped over an easel to get the wind blown effect Rossetti- Sancta Waterhouse--The Siren Waterhouse- The Awakening of Adonis

William Morris-- turned the aesthetics and organic beauty of the Pre-Raphaelites into a complete living form… creating stained glass, textiles, furniture, wallpaper The Pre-Raphaelites were the inspiration for Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau--- turn of the century aesthetic movements

The End