Pre-Raphaelites

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Tue May 17th, 2011, 7:07 pm

I've just booked to go to a new exhibition at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, called The Cult of Beauty, and it features works of art and design by the likes of Rossetti and William Morris.

annis · Post by **annis** » Wed May 18th, 2011, 4:28 am

Some years ago a Pre-Raphaelite exhibition came to NZ and I was lucky enough to see it. So amazing to see the paintings first hand, plus there was an exhibition guide who was very good and explained some of the nuances in the work which the average person (like me) wouldn't pick up .

Cuchulainn · Post by **Cuchulainn** » Fri May 20th, 2011, 2:26 am

I've always had a particular place in my heart for the Pre-Raphaelites - in no short reason becuase my preference for visual art is actually Pre-Raphael; that is, the art of the line - not of depth or texture - there is something inherently spiritual about the plane becuase it necessarily must suggest its subject, rather than depict it (ironically, however, the fresco painters, etc., that were pre-Raphael were trying to depict nature as best they could - and it's only our modern eyes that perceive the lack of depth and texture).

I really like the Pre-Raphaelites vibe and what they were trying to do. It's no mistake that Blake called his works fresco (even though they weren't) and it was Rossettie who was responsible for making Blake as famous as he is now.

annis · Post by **annis** » Sun May 22nd, 2011, 2:13 am

One thing about the incredibly hard-working William Morris that many people don't know is that he left a substantial body of literary work; non-fiction, poetry, myths and legends ( several translated from their original languages) and some very passable fantasy. I read some of his fantasies back in the day- stuff like The Wood Beyond the World and The Well at the World's End, and really enjoyed them.

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Fri June 3rd, 2011, 4:03 pm

Just back from the Cult of Beauty exhibition at London's V & A, worth a visit if you're into the pre-Raphs and William Morris - some quite well-known paintings there - The Golden Stair, The Daydream and another one which, shamefully, I've already forgotten the name to - and some furniture, sculpture, clothes and jewellery; plus some William Morris designs which are still very popular today, including the famous pomegranate pattern. There was also a small painting called "Fair Rosamund", purportedly of Rosamund Clifford, who, according to the display card, was poisoned by Henry II's jealous wife!

The V & A is lovely, we had lunch in a gorgeous landscaped courtyard garden with a big pool where children (it's half-term week in the UK) were all paddling, and it was a very pleasant place to sit.

oldhousejunkie · Post by **oldhousejunkie** » Thu June 9th, 2011, 1:44 pm

I am extremely jealous. The V&A is my favorite museum and I adore the Pre-Raphaelites. I still remember seeing Millais' version of Ophelia at Tate Gallery many years ago. It was an incredible experience.

I wish I was going to be in London now!

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Thu June 9th, 2011, 3:19 pm

Oh yes, I must go to the Tate and say hi to Ophelia!

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Mon November 5th, 2012, 2:45 pm

There's now another exhibition on at Tate Britain, featuring the Pre-Raphaelites - I'm determined to get to this one! It's on til mid January.

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Sun December 30th, 2012, 5:28 pm

Managed to get to the exhibition at Tate Britain on Friday, and it was great; lots of paintings including some of the real showstoppers: Ophelia, Lady of Shalott, Lilith, Monna Vanna, and some lovely tapestries.

J.D. Oswald · Post by **J.D. Oswald** » Fri January 4th, 2013, 6:12 pm

I'm very jealous too! In my early 20s I used to travel to various art galleries in northern England seeking out famous Pre-Raphaelite paintings. I shall have to dig out my books instead