The Pre-Raphaelites: Hiding and Revealing in Victorian England

This lecture delves into the history and characteristics of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, focusing on key artworks like John Everett Millais' 'Ophelia' and Edward Burne-Jones' 'The Wedding of the Psyche'. It explores the avant-garde nature of the Pre-Raphaelites, their rejection of Renaissance aesthetics, and their attention to detail and moral themes. The lecture also discusses the symbolism in Pre-Raphaelite art, the influence of literature and biblical subjects, and the movement's impact on post-modernity. Through an analysis of various paintings and the use of symbolic vegetation, the lecture highlights the Pre-Raphaelites' unique approach to art and their desire to break free from academic conformism.