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The Pre-Raphaelite Vision
The Pre-Raphaelites produced some of the best known images of Victorian art. This book brings together examples of their paintings with extracts of the poetry which inspired them, including work by Shakespeare and Lord Byron.
- GenresArtNonfictionPoetry
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Phaidon Press
194 books429 followersPhaidon Press is a global publisher of books on art, architecture, design, fashion, photography, and popular culture, as well as cookbooks, children's books, and travel books. The company is based in London and New York City, with additional offices in Paris and Berlin. -wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 18, 2017
Awhile back, I stumbled upon the exquisite art of The Pre-Raphaelite artists when listening to the music of Loreena McKennitt. Haunted by the words of a song she sang titled The Lady of Shalott, I discovered this was a poem written in 1832 by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
This then led me to study the poetry written during Victorian time, which led to the discovery of an incredible painting of The Lady of Shalott, by J.W. Waterhouse. This rather large work can be found in the Tate Museum in London. I long to visit this museum and sit and study the painting.
As I tumbled through many references about Waterhouse, I learned he was connected to an artistic movement started by a small group who defined their art as getting back to nature and purity. Rather than paint stoggy works of buildings, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood used Victorian poems and works of William Shakespeare to paint images of lovely ladies who depicted a pivotal moment in time. The works of Pre-Raphaelite artists heavily used symbolism depicting references of love and chivalry.
Another of the most famous Pre-Raphaelite paintings is that of Ophelia, the lass who pined for Hamlet and was a victim of unrequited love. Rather damagingly not only did Hamlet scorn Ophelia, but he also murdered her father. Driven to madness, Ophelia committed suicide by falling into a stream and drowning.
John Everett Millais. one of the first members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, depicted Shakespeare's masterpiece from Hamlet, Act Iv, Scene VII, wherein Ophelia wound flowers round her head and fell into the weeping brook. "Her clothes spread wide, and mermaid-like awhile they bore her up, till that her garments, heavy with the drink, pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay to muddy death."
These two works of art are but a few listed in this lovely book!
This then led me to study the poetry written during Victorian time, which led to the discovery of an incredible painting of The Lady of Shalott, by J.W. Waterhouse. This rather large work can be found in the Tate Museum in London. I long to visit this museum and sit and study the painting.
As I tumbled through many references about Waterhouse, I learned he was connected to an artistic movement started by a small group who defined their art as getting back to nature and purity. Rather than paint stoggy works of buildings, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood used Victorian poems and works of William Shakespeare to paint images of lovely ladies who depicted a pivotal moment in time. The works of Pre-Raphaelite artists heavily used symbolism depicting references of love and chivalry.
Another of the most famous Pre-Raphaelite paintings is that of Ophelia, the lass who pined for Hamlet and was a victim of unrequited love. Rather damagingly not only did Hamlet scorn Ophelia, but he also murdered her father. Driven to madness, Ophelia committed suicide by falling into a stream and drowning.
John Everett Millais. one of the first members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, depicted Shakespeare's masterpiece from Hamlet, Act Iv, Scene VII, wherein Ophelia wound flowers round her head and fell into the weeping brook. "Her clothes spread wide, and mermaid-like awhile they bore her up, till that her garments, heavy with the drink, pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay to muddy death."
These two works of art are but a few listed in this lovely book!
November 28, 2016
Ace little pocket book on the subject. Not bad prints or variety of prints to cover the ideas, issues and main subjects of the Brotherhood. Not a bad gift either.
Toast
Toast
July 29, 2025
ChatGPT said:
The Pre-Raphaelite Vision offers a rich, immersive exploration into one of Victorian art’s most captivating movements. By pairing iconic Pre-Raphaelite paintings with evocative excerpts from the poetry that fueled their imagination—ranging from Shakespeare’s timeless verses to Byron’s romantic fervor—this volume beautifully illuminates the symbiotic relationship between visual art and literature. It is an essential work for those seeking to understand the depth of emotional and aesthetic ideals that shaped this visionary group, whose commitment to detail, color, and narrative continues to influence art and culture today.
— José Azuaje-Fidalgo
The Pre-Raphaelite Vision offers a rich, immersive exploration into one of Victorian art’s most captivating movements. By pairing iconic Pre-Raphaelite paintings with evocative excerpts from the poetry that fueled their imagination—ranging from Shakespeare’s timeless verses to Byron’s romantic fervor—this volume beautifully illuminates the symbiotic relationship between visual art and literature. It is an essential work for those seeking to understand the depth of emotional and aesthetic ideals that shaped this visionary group, whose commitment to detail, color, and narrative continues to influence art and culture today.
— José Azuaje-Fidalgo
August 21, 2024
Lovely book found in a holiday house. An absolutely beautiful set of paintings. Great links to poems from Spenser to Byron. Good biographical knowledge given on more than the usual set of painters - even a woman! A pleasing read.
December 30, 2019
The breath taking reproduction in well chosen compilation.
May 14, 2022
Sitting on my shelf for years, I'd browse through the evocative images regularly, but today I read the selected poetry for the first time and it really all came together quite beautifully.
November 16, 2011
With a short introduction, and a short poetic passage to illuminate some of the paintings, the painings speak volumes for themselves.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews