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Inspiration from Artists Week 33 Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Alfred Wainwright.
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Posted
They were indeed, this group, very good at painting cloth, fabric, velvets, silks - and armour. I have never cared for their portraits of people - the criticism of Reynolds MAY have been a result of his extremely careless use of bitumen, varnishes, mediums, which all but destroyed the surface of many of his paintings before they'd even left his studio. I don't know that for sure, however; maybe they just disliked his style - but if so: his was much better than theirs, even though his techniques were horribly flawed.
Jane Morris, frankly, looks to me like someone who could be hewing coal - or a drag act. No, I do not like Rosetti's work; or Holman Hunt; or Burne-Jones: I find their work dark, claustrophobic, and vaguely sickly.
This Holman Hunt " The Scape Goat " is also in the Lady Lever. It has always fascinated me, not sure why. A sadness about it...
Posted
After Russell mentioned this painting I looked it up and read the story behind it. Apparently Holman Hunt was one of the strictest adherents to the Pre-Raphaelite aim of ‘truth to nature’ and it’s amazing the lengths he went to to paint it. The poor goat apparently died before the painting was finished.
Edited
by Jenny Harris
Posted
I've always admired the work of the Pre Raphaelites even though it was very 'untrendy' - is there such a word? - to do so when I was younger and perhaps still is for all I know. The Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight has a superb collection of their work and indeed Victorian Art generally. I can honestly say that seeing Holman Hunt's 'Scapegoat' there was was a "wow' moment for me.Hadn't seen Russell's comment....yes it's a great place and yes that painting is special...poor goat.
Posted
Anyone who enjoys the work of the Pre Raphaelites could do worse than visit Manchester Art Gallery, Astarte Syriaca is a well known painting by Rossetti. I agree that many women in his paintings tend to look a little unfeminine, in fact I prefer portraits by John Everett Millais that show a more delicate touch. His 'Ophelia' is interesting, particularly when you hear the story that the model almost died in the bath!
On the whole, I prefer the work of John William Waterhouse, who was not one of the 'brotherhood' but was influenced by the Pre Raphaelites. His painting 'The Lady of Shalott' is rather beautiful, though the lady herself seems rather wistful.
On the whole, I prefer the work of John William Waterhouse, who was not one of the 'brotherhood' but was influenced by the Pre Raphaelites. His painting 'The Lady of Shalott' is rather beautiful, though the lady herself seems rather wistful.
Posted
Quite why his women always look as if they're in the early stages of goitre I don't know - but they always do. Holman Hunt's goat (I expect it died of boredom while he fiddled with the painting) is actually very well done, high degree of skill - see also The Hireling Shepherd - and is one of very few of his paintings I could live with. But sooner or later - it would pall terminally.
No, guessed it: I don't at all like this era of Victorian painters; it's all I associate with the very worst of the age, drawing rooms stuffed with knick-knacks to trip over, small fluffy dogs, gilt and brocade, elderly ladies in caps and black silk, and bored men smoking a wistful cigar and worrying about stock prices.....
Posted
Rossetti was also very involved with William Morris in the Arts and Crafts Movement which was established at about the same time as the Pre-Raphaelites, and he helped with the design of furniture for the Red House, and also worked for Morris & Co.
Paul, perhaps if others are interested, we could do a separate thread on William Morris - he wasn’t a painter, although did complete one rather lovely painting (below), but he was a hugely influential designer in the Arts and Crafts Movement whose fabric and wallpaper designs are still very popular today.
Edited
by Jenny Harris
Posted
As with all artists there are some paintings I like. Seldom do I like ALL of an artists work, even those I most admire. I expect you're the same. So it is with this bunch...I like some of Rossetti's works. Among the Pre-Rhaps it was Millais I like the most, don't much care for Holman Hunt (whilst admiring his craft). Andrew mentioned Maddox-Brown. I do like most of his work...literally his painting called 'Work', one of my favorite paintings.
I find them illustrative, and as I love illustration, they work for me. A dirty word in his day I suspect, not so much now.