Pre-Raphaelites

Founded in 1848 as a <strong>secret society</strong>, the <strong>Pre-Raphaelites </strong>rejected classical ideals and the dominant artistic genre painting of their era for what they saw as a more <strong>spiritual, sincere, and naturalistic </strong>approach. Founded by <strong>William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti</strong>, they evolved into a seven-member "brotherhood" that included poets and critics as well as painters.

Moving away from the classical compositions exemplified by Raphael (hence the group's name), the Pre-Raphaelites rather turned to<strong> medieval culture</strong> and the <strong>jewel-like colors of Quattrocento art</strong> for inspiration. Their principal themes were initially religious, but also included subjects from<strong> literature and poetry</strong>, as exemplified by Sir John Everett Millais's famous <em><strong>Ophelia</strong>, </em>drawn from Shakespeare's <em>Hamlet.</em> Inspired by the theories of John Ruskin, they were also committed to the<strong> close study of nature.</strong>

This book presents key works from the Pre-Raphaelite group to introduce their reactionary principles, their dazzling colors, their interest in <strong>love, death, and nature</strong>, and their extensive influence on latter-day Symbolism and beyond.