Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, an Overview
"Desperate Romantics" Series Profiles19th-Century British Artists
Aug 14, 2009
BBC2 has placed the spotlight on a 19th-century artists' group with its six-part drama called "Desperate Romantics" by Peter Browker. The series depicts the tribulations of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. It is broadly accurate, prime-time entertainment, and hugely popular.
Besides leading a colourful life full of rows, romps and reconciliations. The pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood artistic movement has influenced the work of many British artists well after its dissolution.
Beginnings
In the mid-nineteenth century, the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood started with three painters: William Holman "Maniac" Hunt, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Rosetti, also a poet, was generally accepted as the leader of the group.
They will be joined a little later on by two critics, William Michael Rossetti and Frederic George Stephens, as well as two more artists: Thomas Woolner (a sculptor and poet) and James Collinson (a painter).
Rules of Engagement
The pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood set out to change the face of British art. In these days, painters were obeying rules of painting based on the Renaissance painter "Raphael". The pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood reverted to a world before these 14th C. rules.
Their main stylistic objective was to remain true to nature using bright clear colours and to depict as much details as possible. Paintings of the time were dark and gloomy.
They were concerned with bringing honesty and feelings to their paintings.
What Make the Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood Fascinating
- Their first exhibitions at the Royal Academy was very controversial, Victorian Britain art establishment was rather immune to stirs. The group was going to create some real waves and attract a lot of press exposure. Millais' "Christ In The House Of His Parents" (1850), a depiction of Christ in a tatty carpentry workshop with create an outcry and be brandished blasphemous.
- The art-work produced is a departure from the work usually seen at the time. Each painting is extremely detailed with photographic qualities.
- The solidarity of a "gang of friends" culture, they branded each painting with the initial PRB pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood.
- The medievalism aspect of the painting.
- Their colourful lives and the scandals associated: Millais marries his benefactor's wife, Rossetti has passionate affairs with his model and will marry one of them Lizzie Siddal, Hunt has love affair with a prostitute, Annie Miller.
- Their association with the Bloomsbury group.
- Their success: Hunt's "Finding of the Saviour in the Temple" sold for £5,000, the highest price fetch by a living artist work.
Where to See the "PRB" Paintings
The major collections are at
- Tate Gallery,
- Victoria and Albert Museum,
- Manchester Art Gallery,
- Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
- Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool)
- Hunt's "scapegoat" hangs at the Lady Lever Art Gallery,
- In National trust houses: Wightwick Manor in West Midlands, and at Wallington Hall, in Northumberland
- Outside England:at the Delaware Art Museum
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