Pre-Raphaelite Vision, The

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Summary: A perfect romantic gift!
Review: "Some were painted almost obsessively, and with the passing of time have come to represent an ideal beauty"

This tiny book is filled with works by Dante Gabriel Rosetti, Arthur Hughes, Frederick Sandys, Edward Burne-Jones, William Holden Hunt, Albert Joseph Moore, and Eveyln De Morgan. In its pages you will find all the romantic, now 'posterized' images of this remarkable group of painters.

The paintings are interwoven with the beautiful poetry that inspired them and makes it a lovely and tender tribute to any woman. (or a not so shabby guide book for those poor souls out there that just don't know how to be romantic!)

Rossetti is a master of the misty eyed, Sandys finds that little resident saucy side that makes every woman human, and Burne-Jones seems to add an extra element of wisdom to the women that he paints.

These are the paintings that are beloved by so many - never offensive, always relaxing and full of brilliant color. Who could forget Moore's 'Midsummer' with its bright orange fabric against such a gentle sleeper? Or 'Love's Shadow' with that bright red hair? These are the only examples I can think of that use such bright color and still result in such soothing images.

I've yet to find a better collection of these beloved works, and the price and portability of this one can't be beat. Most of these works are from private collections or are in European museums so a lovely book like this makes them accessible to us all.

Rating:
Summary: Lush, elegant art from Victorian England
Review: This volume draws together some of the most remarkable paintings and sketches done by the Pre-Raphaelites during the mid-1800's. This movement, which focused on the appreciation of beauty through artistic interpretation of legend and literature, produced some of the most stunning works of art to date.

What I like about this book in particular, is that unlike many books, it does not neglect the work of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, brother of the poet Christina Rossetti. In my opinion, Dante (whose painting "Proserpine" appears on the cover of this book, is the heart and soul of the "Pre-Raphaelite Vision" and is too often left out. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.