Rebellion, Nature and Fantasy: Exploring the Pre-Raphaelite Collection in Liverpool
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Rebellion, Nature and Fantasy: Exploring the Pre-Raphaelite collection in Liverpool Tutor: Ed Bruce Course Description A survey of some of the great Pre-Raphaelite (Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, or PRB) and Symbolist paintings in the collection of the world famous Walker and Lady Lever Art Galleries. We will include some historical background with an emphasis on how and why the PRB differed from the academic and classical context from which they emerged as rebels. Students will also learn about symbolism in painting and be given the opportunity to analyse the original artworks. The sessions will be in two parts. The first part will be a lecture-style prepared talk with slides and the second will be seminar- style small and whole group work. Aims of the course 1. To learn about the Pre-Raphaelites, who they were, what they did, how they saw themselves and what was their role. 2. To learn how to construct the meaning or narrative of Pre-Raphaelite paintings through analysis and interpretation of symbols. Learning Objectives By the end of the course the students will be able to: 1. name the three key PRB artists who founded the movement 2. name two artists which the PRB were in rebellion against 3. list three characteristics of academic painting which the PRB rejected 4. list three characteristics of PRB painting 5. name three artists who influenced the PRB style and attitude 6. quote Ruskin’s famous instruction to young artists which supported the PRB’s artistic programme 7. name the most important difference between the early PRB paintings and the work of the Aesthetic movement artists 8. name three objects: plants or other features which were used symbolically by PRB artists 9. give the commonly understood meaning of three of the symbols used by PRB artists 10. name three key PRB artworks and describe their narrative content Sessions: 1. Introduction to the Pre-Raphaelites We will study the foundation of the movement and the early work of Rossetti, Holman Hunt and Millais. The first part will focus on the PRB’s rebellion against Royal Academy with some contextual information about Classical art, rejected by the PRB and the “primitives” who inspired them. 2. Second Wave This session will introduce Burne-Jones and William Morris of the Second Wave of Pre-Raphaelite artists. We will look in more detail at Pre-Raphaelite medievalism and interest in legends. 3. Symbolism We continue our study of the work of Burne-Jones and his development of his “dreamlands” along with Rossetti’s later Symbolist works. We will chart how their work becomes increasingly sensuous and less about morality. We will explore how this sensuality leads to the Aesthetic movement and “Art for Art’s Sake”. 4. Walker Art Gallery Field Trip This session will introduce students to the Pre-Raphaelite collection at the Walker art gallery. There will also be an opportunity to study some Royal Academy portraits and history paintings to show the difference in style and approach. 5. Lady Lever Art Gallery Field Trip In the second of the two gallery field trips, students will have the opportunity to investigate further Pre-Raphaelite paintings and use the knowledge of symbolism acquired from the lectures to analyse particular examples. 6. PRB Review We will use the concluding session to re-cap on themes and to invite students to give group presentations on aspects of the PRB and their paintings. Reading list: Peters Corbett, D. Edward Burne-Jones, (British Artists series), Tate Publishing, London, 2004 Hilton, T. The Pre-Raphaelites (World of Art), Thames and Hudson, London, 1970 Tickner, L. Dante Gabriel Rossetti, (British Artists series), Tate Publishing, London, 2003. .