Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) Study of Jane Morris for 'Mnemosyne'
The bad boys of British art – the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood – formed in 1848 to take a stand against what they considered to be the stuffy, unrealistic painting style of their day and developed their own aesthetic inspired by the works of early Italian artists. The largest Pre-Raphaelite collection of art to be seen in Australia is currently being exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The exhibition displays drawings, watercolours, art studies, ceramics and stained glass installations from the seven Brotherhood members.
The young artists rebelled against the Royal Academy schools, the standard art tuition of the time, and created realistic studies with an emphasis on detail and an observance of nature. They drew inspiration from the Bible and poetry for their subjects. Remarkably detailed and captivating portraits caused controversy for portraying religious figures without flattery, in a style vastly different from art at the time. Intense colour, symbolism, studies of nature and the signatures P.R.B. became the hallmarks of the Brotherhood's works.
A substantial collection, you will need a solid hour to wander through the displays, especially as the works are delightfully intricate and one can spend an easy 15 minutes taking in the details of each piece. At only $10 for an adult ticket, this is an absolute bargain for art lovers. For those that want a more in-depth tour, the gallery provides free guided tours of the exhibition daily.
