The Preraphaelites: Romance and Realism

This pretty, glossy little book is filled with paintings and interesting information. It might not be very meaty, or the most complete source of information on Pre-Raphaelites, but it's a good source for a quick history of the movement and its major players.

were so intimately linked." Do you have a poet's heart? Or do you consider yourself a hopeless romantic? Maybe you love great quotes and succinct information in a easy to carry and store, thin paperback? Perhaps you love gorgeous, contrasting colors full of light and shadows in passionately rendered yet solemn but oh so expressive and thought-provoking symbolism with an occasional illusionist effect (as in Waterhouse's "The Lady of Shallot" and Millias' "Ophelia") in your art then welcome to the Pre-Raphaelite movement! There is plenty of all of the above and more included in the wonderful, lightweight, colorful, informative art book! This group (P. R. B. aka Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood) was dominated by three artists: John Everett Millias (1829-96), William Holman Hunt (1828-1910) and Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-82.) "The Pre-Raphelites wanted to represent modern life realistically, whether they approved or disapproved of it." Hmmm. Isn't that something that art must consist of to Be Art?! "Go to Nature in all singleness of heart, and walk with her laboriously and trustingly, having no other thought but how best to penetrate her meaning, and remember her instruction, rejecting nothing, selecting nothing and scorning nothing; believing all things to be right and good, and rejoicing always in the truth." John Ruskin 'Modern Painters', Vol 1, 1843. [Love it! I'll take a bottle of wine from 1843 please!]I believe that an artist has a gift from God. Combined with free will, it becomes a reflection of the portion of God in him/her that wants and desires to be expressed, all through the artist's unique views from the heart. The work of an artist communicates, often on a much more proficient and profound level than words can ever say; the artist speaks without words and the viewer has the honor of deciding on his/her own interpretation, application and inspiration to his/her life--THIS is why I Love Art so much. Truly Art is one of the highest forms of sharing. So if you are an artist, past or present, thank you and Godspeed. o8E I would love to be an artist someday. And I see myself giving it a go again someday, if just as a hobby. Perhaps someday I'll be found by a kindred spirit working on a canvas on the beach while taking breaks doing Tai Chi and yoga. ^_^ In closing, I believe the key to getting the most from art is to look at it with an open mind and ponder the message that enters your heart. The Pre-Raphaelites do just that, touch my heart. And I enjoy pondering with an open mind!"I mean by a picture a beautiful, romantic dream of something that never was, never will be--in a light better than any other light that ever shone--in a land no one can define or remember, only desire." Edward Burne-Jones, head of the second generation of Pre-Raphaelites, along with Morris. [Wow, I really love this quote. The quotes and illustrations of paintings alone are worth the price of this book. Highly recommended!]Some of the plates for your information