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In January 1850 the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood began publishing a monthly magazine containing essays, reviews, poetry and illustrations by members and associates. Despite their enthusiasm, the journal folded after just five issues. The first three volumes were entitled: The Germ-Art and Poetry; the last two were re-named: Art and Poetry being Thoughts towards Nature conducted principally by Artists
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
In September 1848 seven young men, joined by their mutual dissatisfaction of contemporary art and art education, founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The members were the painter and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti; his brother William Michael Rossetti, a civil servant and secretary to the group; John Everett Millais, one of the Royal Academy’s (RA) youngest and most able students; the painters William Holman Hunt, Frederic George Stephens and James Collinson; and the sculptor Thomas Woolner.
In the first few years of the group’s existence, when producing work for exhibition, they signed their work PRB. Due to their use of bright colours, more naturalistic lighting and inclusion of minute detail, this youthful group received heavy criticism until the art critic John Ruskin championed their work in letters to The Times. This support allowed them to gain acceptance in the art world. By the mid 1850s the Brotherhood had naturally disbanded, each member wishing to pursue their own individual aims. Their influence and legacy nevertheless continued to influence a large number of artists.