The Pre-Rafelites

Now I'm sure many of us have watch the BBC's take on the Pre-Rafelitie brotherhood artists 'Desperate Romantics' which sadly only had one season?? Anyway of course the show was a loosely accurate version of the Pre-Rafelitie brother hood though will only four not the actual factual seven. Though Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Willian Holman Hunt & John Everett Millais were the original three founders of the brotherhood. Check it out if you have no idea who the Pre-Rafelites are and you can't be bothered to read about them

For me the Pre-Raphaelite art is legendary, the way the artists has painted their works such as their romantic female models to almost surreal scenes with animals in a colourful backdrop. Each to their own realistically these men were a brotherhood yet there art was their own and they had their own unique and independent way of working, almost like a signature the works and individuality is clear when looking at their separate works.

For me my favourite pieces from the brotherhood are the beautiful portrayals of women the paintings are dramatic and sparks a feeling from the audience. Who are these women? whats happened to them?

The original three member of the brotherhood are notably a unique brotherhood in their day with a group of talented and young artists who started the movement to oppose the big dogs that were the Royal Academy, a group set to defy popular genre paintings. The works were inspired by literature and nature

Just look at ........

Ophelia 1851-1852

Quite possibly one of my favourite paintings. Ophelia the character originally in Williams Shakespeare's Hamlet the beauty who is destined for tragedy (she drowns)

The painting by John Everette Millais has been taken from the words Shakespeare has written, the beautiful women that looks like she could simply be relaxing, the romantic stance/feel of the painting is clear; the greenery that is only separated because of her Lacey dress. The flowers that reach up to her hands and chest area. The paleness of her skin that was also symbolised with beauty in the era.
Elizabeth Siddal the model for the painting and wife of fellow brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti actually died very young though her death was never proved to be suicide as at the time suicide was illegal and meant she wouldn't be given a christian burial. very tragic

I could also say my mother has actually touched this painting after having far to much to drink at a gallery party in the 90's. 

Proserpine 1874

Another beauty painted this time by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the painting itself was actually inspired by Greek and Roman mythology the character of Proserpine is a Goddess; the story basically follows the goddess who has to live in the underworld with her Husband Hades (god of the underworld), the character is repressed and in love with another man...... Interestingly enough the model of the painting was Jane Morris the wife of fellow brotherhood member William Morris. Jane herself was actually having a affair with the painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti for many years, the painting reveals Janes torment over being torn between her husband and the father of her children and her lover.

"The figure represents Proserpine as Empress of Hades. After she was conveyed by Pluto to his realm, and became his bride, her mother Ceres importuned Jupiter for her return to earth, and he was prevailed on to consent to this, provided only she has not partaken of ant of the fruits of Hades. It was found, however, that she had eaten one grain of a pomegranate, and this enchained her to her new emptire and destiny, she is represented in a gloomy corridor of her palace, with the fatal fruit in her hand. As she passes, a gleam strikes on the wall behind her form some inlet suddenly opened, and admitting for a moment the light of the upper world; and she glances furtively towards it, immersed in the thought"

                     W. Sharp, Dante Gabriel Rossetti: A record and study, London 1882, p236

 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/rossetti-proserpine-n05064/text-summary

A real tragedy in love

The awakening conscience 1853

The painting is by William Holman Hunt yet again the model was someone close to him his girlfriend Annie Miller.

Looking at the scene it looks like what? is it happy at first I thought it was a amused couple relaxing on some spring afternoon. But wait the name? "The awakening Conscience" hold on a minute that sounds like theres more in-depth with this piece, unlike the others the story isn't taken from another, the picture is full of fine details that are only noticed once inspected. The cat playing with the bird under the table? the girls clothing the off white soiled dress? who is she? are they a couple?

looking on the Tate Londons website I learnt the painting was actually subtly hinting prostitution, apparently the mirror with her reflection represents lost innocence but theres a glance of redemption with the light of the outside in the mirror. Her stance? has she had some revelation? 

I enjoy paintings like this they hold the story they don't need to be based on anything because they already reveal so much.

The brotherhood were unique and young, full of talents and life as it awaited them, Though the paintings will last and be in our histories forever theres a element of sadness when looking into the artists and the people involved with them's storys, young deaths, drug use, these romantics had written tragedies.

The brotherhood of the Pre-Raphelites of course formed more members and had a second generation of painters. Many of the works are now held at the Tate Britain in London

The pictures above are from the Tate Britain's website

                       http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/p/pre-raphaelite