1846

Pre-Raphaelites

The Pre-Raphaelites are a group of English 19th century artists, originally known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. They were inspired by the theories of John Ruskin, who urged any artist to 'go to nature'. They believed in a serious art subjects with maximum realism. Although they were initially religious they also used subjects from literature and poetry. Its main members of the group were William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. After some time of heavy opposition the Pre-Raphaelites became very influential. There was a second wave of a movement in 1860, particularly inspired by the work of Rossetti. It made a major contribution to symbolism. The artists ultimate goal was to consciously surpass the simplicity and sincerity of the work of Italian artists before the time of Raphael.

Raphael - A leading figure of Italian High Renaissance classicism

Raphael was an Italian painter during the high renaissance, his work is remembered for the clarity of form and the visual achievement of the traditionally ideal human grandeur of the time. The work he is best known for are his series of paintings known as 'madonnas' that he produced in 1504-07. Raphael along with, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci formed the traditional trinity of great masters of that period. Raphael's work was extremely versatile and prolific more so than either of Michelangelo's or Leonardo's work. Leonardo created a series of work extended from Raphael's madonnas. I'm sure that even if you were not well schooled in art you would recognise their names, they were extremely influential in their lifetime and I would say they still held power over todays work. Raphael's movement toward Mannerism influenced painting styles in Italy. Raphael combined a mixture of rebellion, beauty, scientific precision and imaginative grandeur. The Pre Raphaelites constitute Britain's first modern art movement.