Pre-Raphaelites

[Maureen]

Sorry if there has been a discussion on this topic - I have done a search and couldn't find anything.

Having watched, and loved, the series 'Desperate Romantics' last year I have been reading round the subject of the Pre-Raphaelite painters and poets: one draw was their love of the Romantic poets. Rossetti especially loved Keats and part of the reason he became friends with Holman Hunt was his admiration for Hunt's painting based on 'The Eve of St Agnes'; Millais' 'Lorenzo and Isabella' is also, as its name suggests, based on Keats.

In view of our current discussion of the morals and mores of 19th Century life, I found it interesting reading about this group of painters and poets because they lived a generation later, and the Victorian values which still overshadow our society gradually took hold during their lives: as younger men their licentious behaviour - drinking, staying up till all hours, consorting with prostitutes (using them as models - among other things...)etc were tolerated, but as they grew older they were all in various ways rejected by 'polite' society and were regarded as the first 'Bohemians'.

Anyone else interested in the Pre-Raphaelites?

[Raphael]

Sorry if there has been a discussion on this topic - I have done a search and couldn't find anything.

I started this thread while back Maureen. You will like the link I found!

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7521

I conduct tours on "Literary Themes in PRB Paintings" at an art gallery (voluntary work) - which includes Isabella ( painted by John Everett millais) and The Eve of St Agnes ( painted by William Holman Hunt).

Having watched, and loved, the series 'Desperate Romantics' last year I have been reading round the subject of the Pre-Raphaelite painters and poets: one draw was their love of the Romantic poets. Rossetti especially loved Keats and part of the reason he became friends with Holman Hunt was his admiration for Hunt's painting based on 'The Eve of St Agnes'; Millais' 'Lorenzo and Isabella' is also, as its name suggests, based on Keats.

I have a quote by Gabriel Rossetti at home ( which I found during my research)- I can type up for you next time if you like?He calls our John a "glorious fellow." Gabriel declared John as the spiritual leader of the PRB apparently!
A man of great taste!

[marwood]

Yes I love the Pre-Raphaelites and thought desperate romantics
was a fab programme, in fact I bought the dvd last week!
Birmingham museum and art gallery has a good collection of
Pre- Raphaelite paintings, I like Rossetti's Proserpine, i have a print
on my wall

Take care,
Chin chin, Marwood.

[Maureen]

I started this thread while back Maureen. You will like the link I found!

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7521

I conduct tours on "Literary Themes in PRB Paintings" at an art gallery (voluntary work) - which includes Isabella ( painted by John Everett millais) and The Eve of St Agnes ( painted by William Holman Hunt).

I have a quote by Gabriel Rossetti at home ( which I found during my research)- I can type up for you next time if you like?He calls our John a "glorious fellow." Gabriel declared John as the spiritual leader of the PRB apparently!
A man of great taste!

Apologies for thread duplication folks - one of the perils of still being a newbie!

Thanks Raphael - would love to see that quote.

Marwood - the book accompanying the series is interesting too - adds more background and information.

And - this may be controversial! - when I saw the series I thought the same actors could play the Romantic poets quite easily: the actor playing Rossetti could play Byron (in a lot of ways Rossetti's life and attitudes were similar to Byron's anyway); Hunt could double as Shelley, and the lovely actor who played Millais could be our man?

[Cybele]

There's another PRB fan here!!

I feel deprived because we haven't had the "Desperate Romantics" over here. And altho' it's available on DVD, the format isn't one that will work on our DVD players.

[Raphael]

Thanks Raphael - would love to see that quote.

I will type that for you tommorrow- not got my notes on me ( no web at home).

and the lovely actor who played Millais could be our man?

Oooh have you got a pic? I don't have a TV, not seen the series.

[Maureen]

Here are all three:

From left to right:

Samuel Barnett, playing Millais (who I think could be Junkets)
Aidan Turner, playing Rossetti (or Byron?)
Rafe Spall, playing Holman Hunt (?Shelley)

Interestingly, Samuel Barnett did feature in Bright Star - as Joseph Severn.

[Raphael]

Thanks Maureen! I'd seen the guy who played Rossetti - he's on the front of a PRB book for sale in the gallery.

Interestingly, Samuel Barnett did feature in Bright Star - as Joseph Severn.

Well...if he had his hair longer like in this photo , parted in the middle and tinted auburn- he could pass for Junkets...