Pre-Raphaelite Sisters

For too long, the narrative of the Pre-Raphaelite movement has been dominated by its male figures. This book seeks to rectify this imbalance by highlighting the crucial role women played in this British art revolution, not only as subjects but also as creators.

The debut exhibition of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB) in 1849 marked a seismic shift in British art. Dubbing themselves the 'Young Painters of England', these ambitious artists sought to challenge the stagnant Victorian artistic conventions with their bold use of colour and innovative compositions.

However, when one conjures images from William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and their contemporaries, it's not men that come to mind. Instead, we see ethereal young women with flowing locks, gazing pensively from canvases or featured in vibrant, dramatic scenes. But who were these women? What do we know about their lives and their contributions to a movement that spanned over five decades?

Some were models, discovered and immortalised in Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Others were relatives - sisters, wives, daughters and friends of the artists. Many were accomplished artists in their own right, harbouring ambitions to rival their male counterparts. Despite sharing artistic and social circles, these women were often relegated to a separate sphere due to their gender.

Some women played vital roles in sustaining the male-dominated art world, managing households and studios, and cultivating relationships with patrons. Others excelled in interior decoration, dressmaking, embroidery, and jewellery-making - refined crafts that underpinned the 'higher' arts of painting and sculpture. While their backgrounds and experiences varied greatly, all these women were instrumental in shaping Pre-Raphaelite art.

Product Information:

Book ISBN:	9781855147928
Book Author:	Jan Marsh
Book Format:	Paperback / softback
Book Imprint:	National Portrait Gallery Publications
Book Publisher:	National Portrait Gallery Publications
Book Dimensions:	246 x 283 x 25 cm
Book Publication Date:	2024-12-09
Book Pagination:	208 pages, 150 Illustrations, color
Book Weight:	1282g