Detail
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Desire
The Pre-Raphaelites had a respectful attitude towards women, believing in chivalry. Such attitudes would be popularised by texts such as Ruskin’s ‘Of Queens’ Gardens’ (1864). However, the Pre-Raphaelites still saw women as objects of desire, labelling beautiful women as ‘stunners’. This would be expressed most sensuously in Rossetti’s work. Holman Hunt had depicted lovers in The Awakening Conscience and The Hireling Shepherd but would later focus on more religious subjects whilst Madox Brown favoured historical themes.
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As important to the Pre-Raphaelites as desire was love. Despite the practical need, the Victorian ideal of marriage was as loving or, at the very least, companionate.
Looking at the following images of love or lovers, how is love represented? Are the lovers real, historical, literary or allegorical? What messages might the work convey about love?
Rossetti, Two Lovers Rossetti, Two Lovers at a Window Millais, Lovers by a Rosebush Arthur Hughes, The Long Engagement Simeon Solomon, Love Simeon Solomon, The Singing of Love Millais, Waiting
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Rossetti’s personal model of ideal love was that of Dante and Beatrice, the subject of many of his works, including Beata Beatrix, The Meeting of Dante and Beatrice in Paradise and The Salutation of Beatrice.
How does Rossetti represent the relationship between Dante and Beatrice in these works and what does his treatment suggest about the way in which he viewed their story?
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Munro, Paolo and Francesca: This subject, also treated by Rossetti (1855 watercolour, Tate collection), is taken from Dante’s Inferno. Paolo is Francesca’s brother-in-law; their love is therefore illicit. Munro’s sculpture shows the lovers together, the act of reading inspiring them to act on their own love.
How does Munro’s sculpture compare to Rossetti’s watercolour?
Does Dante actually describe the lovers reading? If so, what are they reading?
Further reading:
Kern, Stephen, Eyes of Love: The Gaze in English and French Paintings and Novels 1840-1900. London: Reaktion Books, 1996
Discuss this collection
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