In the 19th century, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood changed art forever.
They made art feel fresh and real again - a return to the principles of the Renaissance.
These are some paintings you need to know:
1. The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse (1888) - Inspired by Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem, it shows the cursed Lady of Shalott in a boat, leaving her island to meet her fate.
2. King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid by Edward Burne-Jones (1884) - Illustrates the legend of King Cophetua who falls in love with a beggar maid, showcasing Burne-Jones's interest in medieval stories and his stylized, idealized figures.
3. Ophelia by John Everett Millais (1851-1852) - This painting depicts Ophelia, a character from Shakespeare's "Hamlet," floating in a stream before she drowns, surrounded by lush, meticulously detailed nature.
4. Beata Beatrix by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1870) - Represents Beatrice Portinari from Dante Alighieri's "La Vita Nuova," symbolizing love and death with Beatrice at the moment of her transcendence.
5. Christ in the House of His Parents by John Everett Millais (1849-1850) - A highly detailed scene depicting a young Jesus in Joseph's carpentry workshop, emphasizing realism and pre-industrial innocence.
6. The Awakening Conscience by William Holman Hunt (1853) - This painting is a moralistic narrative showing a young woman rising from her lover's lap upon realizing her life of sin, with a room filled with symbolic detail.
7. The Scapegoat by William Holman Hunt (1854-1856) - Hunt depicts a scapegoat in the wilderness, suffering for the sins of others, rich in symbolic detail and naturalistic desert landscape.
8. Mariana by John Everett Millais (1851) - Inspired by Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure," Mariana is shown in a state of longing and melancholy, surrounded by autumnal leaves and a richly detailed interior.
9. Lady Lilith by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1866-1868, altered 1872-1873) - Rossetti's Lilith embodies the fatal beauty, contemplating herself in a mirror, symbolizing vanity and beauty's destructive power.
10. Proserpine by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1874) - This artwork portrays the Roman goddess Proserpine (Persephone in Greek mythology) holding a pomegranate, symbolizing her marriage to Hades and her dual life between the underworld and the earth.
11. The Bridesmaid by John Everett Millais (1851) - The painting captures the moment a bridesmaid is participating in the traditional ritual of passing a piece of wedding cake through a ring to dream of her future husband.
12. The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt (1851-1853) - Symbolizing Jesus's offer of redemption, depicted knocking on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating a passage from the Book of Revelation.
13. Ecce Ancilla Domini by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1850) - An Annunciation scene portraying the Virgin Mary as a frightened teenager, emphasizing her humanity and vulnerability.
14. The Vale of Rest by John Everett Millais (1858-1859) - Depicting nuns in a cemetery at twilight, capturing themes of death, work, and contemplation with a mood of serene melancholy.
15. Isabella by John Everett Millais (1848-1849) - Based on John Keats's poem "Isabella; or, The Pot of Basil," it portrays the moment Isabella's brothers realize she loves Lorenzo, a man of lower social status.
16. Work by Ford Madox Brown (1852-1865) - This artwork captures the bustling activity of laborers on a London street, showcasing various social classes and the dignity of work, with rich detail and vibrant colors to highlight the importance of hard work and social unity.
17. The Shadow of Death by William Holman Hunt (1870-1873) - This painting presents Jesus as a carpenter stretching after work, casting a shadow that prefigures the crucifixion, surrounded by details symbolizing his future passion and emphasizing the theme of sacrifice and redemption.
What is your favorite painting from this movement?
Mine is "The Lady of Shalott" by John William Waterhouse.
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"Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her."
- G. K. Chesterton
Here are 18 must-see landmarks to discover if you find yourself in this magnificent city this summer. 🧵
1. Colosseum (79-80 AD)
The Colosseum could hold up to 80,000 spectators and hosted gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and even mock naval battles.
2. Vatican City (1929 as an independent state)
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, both in terms of area and population, and it is home to St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel.
Throughout history, women have defied societal norms and left indelible marks on the world.
Here are twenty of the most renowned women from ancient times who challenged conventions, led empires, and reshaped the course of history. 🧵
1. Cleopatra VII (69-30 BCE) - The Last Pharaoh of Egypt
The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, which played a crucial role in the Roman political landscape.
2. Hatshepsut (1507-1458 BCE): The Female Pharaoh
One of the most successful pharaohs of ancient Egypt, Hatshepsut expanded trade networks and commissioned numerous building projects, leaving a lasting legacy on Egyptian architecture and economy.
“Beauty perishes in life, but is immortal in art.”
- Leonardo da Vinci
Here are 20 of the greatest and most beautiful sculptures ever crafted.
1. Pietà by Michelangelo (1498-1499)
A Renaissance sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus. Michelangelo carved his name across the sash of the Virgin Mary after overhearing someone attribute the work to another sculptor.
2. The Winged Victory of Samothrace (190 BC)
An ancient Greek statue of Nike, the goddess of victory. It was discovered in pieces and meticulously reassembled, with the head and arms still missing.
In 1911, Italian film theoretician Ricciotto Canudo perhaps accurately defined cinema as "the seventh art."
We will explore 20 films that use their visual artistry to create scenes reminiscent of paintings, blending cinematic techniques with the beauty of fine art. 🧵
1. “Girl with a Pearl Earring” (2003)
As a film about the creation of the eponymous painting by Johannes Vermeer, Peter Webber adopts a visual style that emulates Vermeer’s use of light and color, effectively bringing his paintings to life.
2. "Blade Runner 2049" (2017)
Cinematography by Roger Deakins, featuring highly stylized, painterly scenes.
Orphaned at 11, Raphael created his first masterpiece at 21 and died at 37, producing around 184 artworks, leaving us to wonder what more he could have achieved.
Let us explore 20 of his masterpieces. 🧵
1. The School of Athens (1511) - Depicts great philosophers and scientists.
2. The Sistine Madonna (1512) - Features the serene Madonna and cherubs.