The Earthly Paradise

A New Arrival

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:38:00 +0000

As some of you guessed from my last post, our lovely little girl arrived last Wednesday evening. She is an absolute treasure, as you can see!

Van Gogh on Babies

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:38:00 +0000

If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle. If there is a "ray from on high," perhaps one can find it there. (Letter 242)

Vincent Van Gogh

John Knight's Pre-Raphaelite Photography

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Photographer John Knight has a passion for the Pre-Raphaelites (and for vintage and fine art photography in general). Knight's specialty is the Art Deco period (his studio is actually called Art Deco Studio), but he began his work recreating Pre-Raphaelite images after using two models he felt strongly resembled Jane Morris and Lizzie Siddal. Since then, Knight has recreated a number of iconic Pre-Raphaelite images for modern audiences.

And here we have John Knight's photographic interpretation of the painting:

Of course, Knight uses a great deal of image editing software in order to reproduce the paintings, but it would be impossible to make them look much like the originals without it.

His interpretation of Frederick Sandy's "Love's Shadow" is spectacular, though it shies away from the energy and anger of the original. The girl in Knight's version is a quite a bit more coy and far less threatening than Sandys' (who you will recall is actually baring her teeth in the painting).

Knight's version:

Anthony Frederick Sandys' version - teeth bared, and looking a bit vicious:

I asked Knight what drew him to Pre-Raphaelite art. He replied that

"the images created by the PRB are amongst the most enduring of all art works ever created. They touch the soul and the heart, they challenge the eye and they transport the viewer back...back to fantasy, to chivalry, to folklore and myth to the stories of our childhood and the dreams of our imagination."

I couldn't agree more!

Be sure to check out John Knight's website for more of his Pre-Raphaelite images. Many are quite extraordinary--I think my favourites are the Venus Verticordia (shown above) and Flaming June.

Leonardo da Vinci's Fingerprint Discovered on Painting

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Last year I did a post about a debate raging over whether or not the painting The Marriage Portrait of a Young Woman (pictured above) was an original Leonardo da Vinci.

One year later and the controversy is far from over. The battle is still raging among art experts over whether or not the painting is actually by da Vinci.

Most recently, a lab in Paris has discovered a fingerprint in the upper left hand corner that appears to belong to Leonardo da Vinci(it kind of surprises me that they are not able to tell definitively if the fingerprint matches - especially with all that pricey forensic equipment). Originally, Christie's auction house had valued the painting at under $20,000.00, but of course that was before the painting had been subjected to more detailed investigation.

Further investigation into the painting are ongoing, but this must be great news for Canadian art collector Peter Silverman. Silverman purchased the work for around $21,850 in 2007. If the painting does turn out to be a da Vinci, it will most likely be worth tens of millions of dollars. Not a bad investment!

The BBC has a video of the latest news about the painting, which can be viewed on the BBC News website.

Memphis Brooks Museum Hosts "Masterpieces from Museo de Arte de Ponce"

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Now through January 10, 2010, the Memphis Brooks Museum will be hosting an exhibit of 56 paintings entitled "Masterpieces from Museo de Arte de Ponce."

The Museo de Arte de Ponce is well-known for it's spectacular Pre-Raphaelite collection, which will be featured prominently in this exhibition. However, the show will also feature paintings from a number of different periods, and includes works from Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens and the Belle Époque master James Tissot

The Brooks Museum has a couple of events on October 15, 2009 to celebrate the collection, including a "Tea and Tour" from 1:30 - 3 pm. Enjoy tea and treats after a special tour with the docents ($3 per person). The event is sponsored by the Brooks Museum League. Reservations are required, please call 901.544.6242. A dinner will also be held the same night--call the number above for more information.

For more information, check out the Brooks Museum Website

Victoria and Albert Museum's William Morris Print Book

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:55:00 +0000

The Victoria and Albert Museum has announced publication of a new William Morris Pattern Book. The book will come with a CD of the pattern images, so that designers can be free to research and modify the designs as they choose.

The collection was put together by Linda Parry, whom many William Morris buffs will immediately recognize as the author of some of the best books on Morris' design work. Parry served as curator of the V&A's 1995 William Morris exhibit, and is one of the world's foremost experts on Morris. Parry also worked as deputy keeper of the Furniture, Textiles and Fashion Department at the V&A for many years.

I just ordered my copy and I can't wait for it to arrive! I'm really curious to see what I can do with the CD--I'm thinking it will be perfect for adapting some of the designs to needlework, etc.

This title is available through The Earthly Paradise Bookstore.

J.W. Waterhouse Garden of Enchantment

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:04:00 +0000

A new exhibit of J.W. Waterhouse's work will be held at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts from October 1, 2009, to February 7, 2010. The exhibit will feature the largest-ever retrospective of works by John William Waterhouse (1849-1917). J. W. Waterhouse: Garden of Enchantment will be the first large-scale exhibition of Waterhouse’s work since 1978, and promises to be the first expo to focus on works from throughout his lengthy artistic career.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts will have at least eighty works of art, on loan from public and private collections throughout the world. Garden of Enchantment will also feature a number of Waterhouse's sketches in oil, chalk and pencil (many of these works have not been seen in public since Waterhouse's death). The exhibition has been organized by the Groninger Museum, the Netherlands, with the collaboration of the Royal Academy of Arts, London, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition, which premiered at the Groninger Museum, will also be presented at the Royal Academy of Arts (June 27 to September 13, 2009), and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (October 1, 2009, to February 7, 2010).

It sounds like Garden of Enchantment will be a fabulous exhibit. I would desperately love to get a chance to see these works in person!

For more information, visit The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts website

"The Earthly Paradise" Edward Burne-Jones Exhibit at Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:03:00 +0000

"The Earthly Paradise," a new exhibit of Sir Edward Burne-Jones' work, will be showing at the Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart, Germany, beginning October 24, 2009 and running through February 7, 2010. The exhibit will focus on Burne-Jones spectacular narrative paintings.

Burne-Jones' paintings often retell classic tales from literature and mythology, and this exhibit will pay particular attention to his well-loved Perseus (which is part of the Staatsgalerie's permanent collection) and Briar Rose cycles. The tapestries he created with scenes from King Arthur and his Knights will also be featured.

The exhibit draws its title,"The Earthly Paradise," from William Morris' book of poems by the same name. First published in 1868, The Earthly Paradise helped to inspire Burne-Jones to create his narrative paintings. And I'm so glad it did! Sir Edward Burne-Jones created so many beautiful paintings that tell fantastic stories from an ideal age. You can look at them for ages and never cease to be transported.

"The Earthly Paradise" promises to be a multimedia exhibit, and Burne-Jones paintings will be shown alongside stained-glass windows, book illustrations, furniture and other arts and crafts era items. It's a chance to experience "a living environment shaped by art." I'm sure nothing would have pleased Burne-Jones more.

If you plan on being anywhere near Stuttgart between October and February, "The Earthly Paradise" is a must-see. It's definitely a once in a lifetime chance to see these beautiful paintings side by side.

For more information, check out the Staatsgalarie's official Burne-Jones website . The site can be accessed in English here.

Curatorial supervision of "The Earthly Paradise" ("Das Irdische Paradies") by Dr. Christofer Conrad, with assistance by Dr. des. Annabel Zettel. The exhibit is under the patronage of the British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Michael Arthur.

Edward Burne-Jones, Perseus and the Sea-Nymphs, 1877-1898, oil on canvas. Image courtesy Staatsgalerie Stuttgart.

My heartfelt thanks goes to the Staatsgalerie for bringing this exhibition to my attention.

Liberty London Shows Flair for Fashion

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:06:00 +0000

Liberty & Co. has long been associated with the Arts and Crafts movement. William Morris' prints have become almost synonymous with the famous London shop, and Oscar Wilde once commented that Liberty was the “the chosen resort of the artistic shopper.”

The recent economic downturn has been difficult for the London store, and Liberty is responding to market pressures by cultivating a slightly more modern design aesthetic. Liberty's CEO, Geoffroy de La Bourdonnaye, is injecting some high fashion flavour into the store through a relationship between Liberty and Hermès.

The iconic french fashion house will be opening a "pop up" boutique in the centre of the store that will feature Hermès scarves and neckties.

The theme of "romance and rebellion" will be continuing with a series of ready to wear prints created exclusively for Liberty by Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood. Wood, who was last featured on this blog when his daughter married in a Pre-Raphaelite inspired gown, has become respected as an artist in his own right. I particularly enjoyed the print he created for the dress below:

I love Hermès (who doesn't?), and Ronnie Wood's prints do seem like a lot of fun. At the same time, I hope Liberty doesn't lose sight of their fabulous Arts and Crafts heritage in an attempt to remain hip.

Read more at the New York Times

The Sting of Passion - Manchester Art Gallery

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:42:00 +0000

From now until October 25, 2009, Manchester Art Gallery will be hosting an exhibit of Pre-Raphaelite-inspired jewellery from twelve international designers. The jewellery will be shown alongside paintings from the museum's extensive Pre-Raphaelite art collection that have inspired the artists.

Admission to the show is free, so if you're nearby, this is something to be sure to check out!

Image courtesy Manchester Art Gallery. Jivan Astfalck Bracelet: Sting of Passion 2009 Sterling silver, fine gold and garnets.

Victorian Art on Display at Brigham Young University Museum of Art

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Brigham Young University Museum of Art is currently hosting an exhibit of Victorian-era artworks from the Royal Holloway collection entitled Paintings from the Reign of Victoria: The Royal Holloway Collection, London . Pre-Raphaelite John Everett Millais' 1878 painting The Two Princes Edward and Richard in the Tower, 1483 (shown above) is among the works on display.

The exhibition will run from August 14-October 24, 2009, and is a must see for anyone in the area. Admission to the exhibit is free of charge. You can even organize a free docent-led tour of the exhibit by calling the Museum Education Department at 801-422-1140. You can also check out Brigham Young University Museum of Art's sepcial Royal Holloway exhibit website for more background information on the event. (It's a great resource, especially if you aren't able to make it to the exhibit).

image courtesy Wikimedia commons.

William Morris and Islamic Art

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:49:00 +0000

Journalist Navid Akhtar has taken an opportunity to examine the influence that Islamic design had on William Morris.

Akhtar argues that Morris' designs are "inextricably linked to the curving sinuous arabesques of traditional Islamic Art," pointing out the strong connection between Morris' work and Turkish ceramics and Persian carpets.

Akhtar goes on to argue that Morris was influenced, not only by the aesthetics of Islamic art, but by the principles that guided that art. He even suggests that Morris' famous decorating maxim "have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful,"--is drawn from a saying in the Koran that "God is beautiful and loves beauty".

While this might be a bit of a stretch, it's undeniable that Morris and many of his friends in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood were strongly influenced by Islamic design elements (particularly the repetition and symmetry that can be found in many middle-eastern art). Akhter suggests that many of the notions that Morris held dear--such as the importance of social consciousness, usefulness and beauty in every day objects-- were also common to Islamic art.

I think it was very important to Morris that these ideals were universal, but it's also interesting to see that a new generation of Muslim artists using Morris as artistic inspiration. What are your thoughts?

You can listen to the full radio broadcast at the BBC.

BBC 4 The Pre Raphaelites

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:24:00 +0000

For those of you living in the UK, the BBC has released a 3-part documentary series on the Pre-Raphaelites to coincide with Desperate Romantics. Since Desperate Romantics is rather short on historical context, be sure to watch the documentary alongside the costume drama, especially if this is your first introduction to the Pre-Raphaelites.

The documentary, entitled The Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Revolutionaries, features author Jan Marsh (author of Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood) and a number of other art historians discussing the PRB's rise to fame, their landscape art and the eventual commercialisation of their work.

I really enjoyed the series, although I found it a little annoying that they kept insisting that the Pre Raphaelite Brotherhood somehow "sold out" when they began to find a market for their art. The series really pushes the notion that the Pre-Raphaelites were somehow the first artists to commercialise their work (and that this was a betrayal of their earlier, nobler ideals). Artists and writers have always wanted to profit from their work. It's pure romantic fantasy to imagine that there was some golden age of art where everyone indulged in art for art's sake without an eye toward profits. The PRB simply lucked out by being in the right place at the right time, and they took advantage of the technology that was available to them. I'm quite sure that if Sir Joshua Reynolds had lived through the Victorian era, he too would have been hawking his lithographs right alongside the former members of the PRB. You will remember that even the socialist William Morris was a businessman! It seems very hard for the BBC to conceive of the possibility that one might simultaneously be a romantic revolutionary and hope to pay the rent.

For those of you living in the UK, several of the episodes are available in streaming video online through the BBC Pre-Raphaelites mini site.

Episode 2, which covers the Pre-Raphaelites approach to landscape art, will be aired again on August 11 at 10:00 pm.

Desperate Romantics - First Impressions

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:31:00 +0000

I finally had a chance to watch the first two episodes of BBC's Desperate Romantics with Javier last week. We both really enjoyed it. Overall, I found it highly entertaining (and yes, it was quite accurately described by its producer as "Entourage with easels"). The production was a bit weak on the historical front, but I suppose this was done by the writers to broaden the appeal of the series.

The series focuses on the early years of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and follows their rise to fame.

I was pleasantly surprised with the casting, particularly that of Lizzie Siddal. The actress who plays Lizzie not only resembles Siddal a great deal, but she also does an excellent job of bringing life and pathos to the character. John and Effie Ruskin are also well-cast, and are more developed than I had anticipated, although the endless speculation about what was wrong with their marriage always gets to me--honestly, nobody has any idea what the problem was (biographers seem to constantly return to the idea that Ruskin was disgusted by Effie's body hair, but how could they know?). Nevertheless, much like the rumours about Michael Jackson, I suppose this gossip is just too juicy for scriptwriters to pass up.

Unfortunately, the characterization of most of the other major players is rather simplistic, though it is in keeping with the rest of the shows' approach. Aidan Turner is handsome and energetic as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, if a bit one-dimensional. William Holman Hunt's character certainly seems to have drawn the short straw in terms of personality. Most biographers of the Pre-Raphaelites tend to consider Hunt a bit of a blowhard, but he's painted with such a broad brush in this production that it borders on the ridiculous. I hope that the writers will add some nuance to his character in the remaining episodes. Perhaps the most promising character so far is that of John Everett Millais, who is played by Samuel Barnett. Millais' character is quite endearing, and it looks like we will be seeing more of him in tonight's episode.

The character I could sort of do without is Fred Walters--a fictional hanger-on that is meant to function as a bit of a window into the lives of the PRB. He's sort of an amalgamation of a number of real-life members of the brotherhood, but I really wish that they had included William Michael Rossetti in the story instead. William Michael has always seemed quite interesting to me, and he certainly did a great deal to contribute to the visibility of the Brotherhood. I suppose the writers felt that adding in another member of the Rossetti family would rob Dante Gabriel of some of his mystique, but I digress.

Overall, I'm definitely enjoying the series. It's so nice to finally see the lives of the Pre-Raphaelites dramatized! Desperate Romantics may fall a bit short on historical accuracy, but the story of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is so inherently exciting that the show can't help but be enormously entertaining.

I'd be extremely interested to hear from others who've had a chance to see the first few episodes. What were your first impressions? Were you pleased or disappointed? Do you think the show will revive interest in the Pre-Raphaelites?

Joke Written by George Bernard Shaw about William Morris Unearthed after 79 Years

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:36:00 +0000

BBC News reported yesterday that a researcher has discovered a joke written by playwright George Bernard Shaw in honour of the opening in 1930 of the Hall at William Morris House in Wimbledon. The joke was found written in Shaw's hand on a photograph of himself, and reads as follows:

"William Morris and I preached the gospel of Labour together on many occasions.

"Many respectable persons thought we deserved hanging. I am proud to hang in a hall dedicated to him."

The note was discovered by researcher Peter Walker in a cupboard among the archives of the Wimbledon Labour Party. Walker noted that, "[t]he discovery of this original picture and handwritten joke by one of our greatest playwrights is very exciting."

It's interesting to see that Shaw seems to have had fond memories of Morris. I always knew that they shared similar political views, but they seem to have had a long history together. Both men started as members of the Social Democratic Foundation (SDF), and they actually started the Socialist League together in 1885, together with Eleanor Marx. Small world!

Prince Charles Declines to Renew his Patronage of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:37:00 +0000

His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, who has been patron of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) since the death of the Queen Mother, has withdrawn his support after a difference of opinion with the members of the society's board. The Prince failed to renew his patronage of the society when it came up for renewal last year.

The Prince apparently raised the ire of the society by contradicting their stated views on restoration in a forward he wrote for a book on architecture. In the forward, the Prince argued that historical buildings should always be restored in their original style.

I can't help but feel that William Morris, who founded the society back in 1877, would have agreed wholeheartedly with the Prince on this particular matter. Morris was very much against reproduction of historical buildings, but was a strong supporter of historical preservation and protection. One only has to look at the "new designs" that Morris appreciated in order to realise that he was not quite as supportive of all forms of architectural innovation as the SPAB would have us believe. Morris found most modern design downright ugly, and I'm sure that he and the Prince would have agreed on that point.

While the SPAB's mandate might warn against "feeble and lifeless forgeries," it hardly seems fair that this should remain the chief concern for historical preservationists in this day and age, when we have much better access to appropriate materials for restoration. The danger of damaging the integrity of the historical architecture is far greater. However, it appears that the board of the society disagrees. They apparently requested that the Prince amend the forward to the book to more closely align with their own views and he refused.

It's surprising that the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings would actually refuse royal patronage from someone who happens to share views so similar to those of the society's founder. William Morris always felt it was disingenuous to try to imitate historical architecture, but he remained strongly convinced about the importance of preserving buildings as carefully as possible. I haven't seen the Prince's forward (and it sounds like none of us ever will), but it would be interesting to know what the fuss was all about. Besides, it seems that if Morris had seen some of the more atrocious examples of modern restoration, he might have agreed with the Prince even more! I guess I'm a bit of a Luddite, but I would prefer to err more on the side of cautious restoration than of reconstruction using new styles.

The SPAB has yet to name a new patron.

For more info on this story, see the Independent

The press release from the SPAB can be found on the Society's website

Image courtesy of Wikimedia commons.

Julia Margaret Cameron Exhibit

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:04:00 +0000

A new exhibit of Julia Margaret Cameron's photography is currently underway at the Portland Museum of Art in Portland, Maine. The exhibit began July 4 and will run through till September 7, 2009.

The exhibition is entitled "For My Best Beloved Sister Mia: An Album of Photographs by Julia Margaret Cameron." The works included in the showing were put together for Julia Margaret Cameron's sister, Maria Jackson (known as Mia). Cameron originally gave her sister the partially filled album as a gift on July 7, 1863, at the beginning of Julia Margaret Cameron's experiments with photography. Over the years, Mia filled the album with many of her sister's most iconic images.

Cameron's portraits are well known for their romantic quality and for their close association with the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Many of the most well-known photographs of a number of Victorian celebrities, such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Lord Tennyson, were also taken by Cameron.

For more information, visit the Portland Museum of Art's website.

For those of you who are aren't able to make it to this showing, the next engagement of this travelling exhibit will be from October 23, 2010 - January 2, 2011
at the Frick art & historical center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Ellen Terry by Julia Margaret Cameron, 1864. Image courtesy wikimedia

The Pre-Raphaelites Brought to Life at Preraphaelites.org

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:34:00 +0000

The Birmingham Museum of Art (which houses the largest public collection of Pre-Raphaelite Art) has just unveiled their new website, Preraphaelites.org, which promises to offer the most intimate experience of the Pre-Raphaelites work that can be achieved outside of visiting the museum.

The website uses Microsoft’s Silverlight technology, which allows the viewer to expand the artworks as much as possible while maintaining the integrity of the image. It is a spectacular tool, and I can't wait to see more museums adopt this method of cataloguing the works in their collections.

I used Silverlight to take a closer look at Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Beata Beatrix, and I have to admit it was an extraordinary experience. The detail is incredible! I have only had the opportunity to view a few Pre-Raphaelite artworks in person, and this technology does allow you to get much closer to the work than they would ever let you get in person. (Even more than in France, where they are extremely permissive of museum guests getting quite close to the paintings!).

In addition to allowing you to see the finest details of many of the works in their collection, the website also points you to related works. In the case of Beata Beatrix, this leads you to a number of sketches of the work. They also seem to offer more detailsa about the works than other museum websites do, and if you register for the website, you can even discuss the paintings with other art fans online.

I originally heard about this project thanks to an email from the Communications Officer for Environment & Culture at the Birmingham City Council. I am so glad they emailed me and that the Council is getting the word out about this great resource! I can see why the Birmingham City Council is quite proud of this site. It really offers a unique opportunity for art lovers across the globe to see these works "up close and personal" and I think the site will generate a lot of tourism once people see what the museum has to offer.

Of course, nothing can replace the experience of seeing these works in person, but this new website does get awfully close. And for those of you planning to visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, I strongly urge you to visit this website first. If there are any artworks you are hoping to see in person, you can actually request a viewing through the website! This is an amazing service. I'm used to having to write to museums, but this tool makes the entire process so much easier (plus it makes it seem like they actually want to let you see the works!). This is especially important to do if there are any lesser-known sketches that you would like to see in person, as these might be in storage at the time of your visit. Again, I can't possible stress enough what a great resource this is!

Kudos to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for these great tools. It's so great to see museums putting their catalogue online and taking advantage of new technology that compliments, rather than detracts from, the artwork. I am a firm believer that giving public access to artwork generates a tremendous amount of interest. I hope this great site makes a new generation fall in love with the work of the Pre-Raphaelites.

Image courtesy Birmingham Museum of Art.

Desperate Romantics

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:17:00 +0000

At long last, some additional news has broken about the BBC television adaptation of Franny Moyle's Pre-Raphaelite potboiler, Desperate Romantics. After months with no news, cyberspace finally has a fresh injection of stories about the much-anticipated series.

One of the more interesting articles I came across was Rapid Talent's interview with Samuel Barnett, who will be playing John Everett Millais. Barnett describes getting acquainted with his character through field trips to the National Gallery:

"I like all sorts of art, that's why I love wandering around The National Gallery. I really admire paintings that look like an actual snapshot – I think that's just extraordinary. That's what's so special about Millais: flesh – people's actual skin – looks real, for example in The Order Of Release and Christ In The House Of His Parents; it's photographic, it doesn't matter how close you get to the painting, you don't see the brushwork. With Millais's paintings it's microscopic; when he does hair it's extraordinary, you can see every strand. His paintings are my favourites – not just because I'm playing him – I think he's the best artist of the group, technically and also emotionally."

I would have to agree, though, as you all know, I have a great appreciation for Burne-Jones and Rossetti as well.

Although I'm a little disappointed that the BBC feels it's necessary to portray the Pre-Raphaelites as prototypes for modern models and rock stars, I suppose it makes it makes sense from a marketing perspective. And, in all honesty, I must admit that I was always drawn to that aspect of their story. As Barnett points out, the Pre-Raphaelites came on the scene just as the public was gaining greater access print publications than ever before:

"You don't have to know anything about the period or the artists; it's a human story and a 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll' story as well: this was the period when supermodels and celebrity was born. The use of the printing press meant everyone, nationally and internationally, could see these guys' paintings and the models they used, that was a first – art had never had exposure like that before."

You can read the full story at Rapid Talent UK.

Also, special thanks to Grace at The Beautiful Necessity for bringing to my attention the fact that news stories about Desperate Romantics are finally starting to get out!

Pre-Raphaelite Art at the Delaware Art Museum

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:22:00 +0000

I'm always on the lookout for great Pre-Raphaelite art online, and yesterday I came across the Delaware Art Museum's fabulous Pre-Raphaelite art gallery, which features the collection of Samuel and Mary Bancroft. The Delaware Art Museum has the largest permanent collection of Pre-Raphaelite works in the United States. The museum maintains their collection through the generous support of the aptly-named "Rossetti Circle" of art patrons. I would definitely join if I lived anywhere near Delaware! Anyway, it's a lovely, well put together website with an extensive collection of photos of Pre-Raphaelite art and art objects. I highly recommend taking a moment to enjoy what they have to offer.

I was particularly impressed by the Delaware Art Museum's education packet on the art of the Pre-Raphaelites. It's available for download here. This curriculum package covers the Pre-Raphaelites, William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement, The Aesthetic Movement--and pretty much everything else that is important to the study of Pre-Raphaelite Art. It's one of the best resources of it's kind that I have come across, and far superior to many books that I've read on the subject! If you are looking for some more information on the topic of the Pre-Raphaelites, it's definitely a great place to start.

Forbes Family to Sell Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:07:00 +0000

If the Forbes family is reduced to selling off their priceles Pre-Raphaelite treasures, what does that mean for the rest of us?

The family is in the process of selling a trove of art treasures from their London home for an estimated £5million. The collection included several pieces by prominent Pre-Raphaelites Sir Edward Burne Jones and Sir John Everett Millais. Two of Millais' paintings, 'For The Squire' and 'Trust Me,' were on sale for £850,000.00 each, while Sir Edward Burne-Jones' spectacular 'Mirror Of Venus'(shown above) was on offer for $500,000.

Read more at The Evening Standard.
Image courtesy Wikimedia commons

Earthly Paradise is on Twitter!

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:58:00 +0000

I'm now on twitter! My user name is: margaretlozano

You all may have noticed that my posts have become less frequent since work has become busier. I'm hoping that twitter will give me a chance to communicate on a daily basis with you all!

For those of you who are much earlier adapters of twitter, please let me know your user names, and I'll be sure to add you!

John William Waterhouse Exhibit in Montreal

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:22:00 +0000

The Montreal Museum of Fine Art has just announced an exhibit of John William Waterhouse's work, set to open this fall.

The exhibit will run from October 1, 2009 through to February 7, 2010. The show was organized by the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, with participation from the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. It is expected to be the largest collection of his work ever on display, with paintings gathered from public and private collections across the globe. A number of the works have not been seen since Waterhouse's own lifetime.

I've been so excited by the recent increase in Canadian exhibits focusing on Pre-Raphaelite and Pre-Raphaelite related artists. Now, if only they'd do one in Edmonton! (Perhaps when our new Edmonton art gallery opens?).

For those of you living in the UK (or lucky summertime visitors), the exhibit can be seen at London's Royal Academy of Arts from June 27 - September 13, 2009.

Image: Penelope and the Suitors, John William Waterhouse, 1912

In Utero Beauty Pageant

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:23:00 +0000

Well, the past couple of weeks has just flown by! It's finally spring in Edmonton, and I am really enjoying going outside without a woolen overcoat (although nighttime temperatures still hover around freezing). My husband and I have been keeping busy with soccer matches and barbecues and revelling in the sunshine.

We had the big 19 week ultrasound last week, which was extremely exciting (albeit a bit uncomfortable--it's getting more difficult to drink all that water two hours before an exam). The baby is lovely. We already think she'll have her father's high cheekbones, thanks to a sneak peek at one of the 3D images. It's still a little strange to me to have all of these pictures. When I was a kid they didn't even do ultrasounds, although we do have an ultrasound of my little sister--I think they must have started doing them more regularly in the mid-eighties.

So, for the past week or so, I must confess that I've been comparing our baby's ultrasound photos to those of my friends' kids' ultrasounds, courtesy of facebook (everyone seems to post their ultrasound photos there). Of course, it may not have even been born yet, but our baby is by far the cutest.

I wonder if this sort of thing is common now? It has a sort of playground quality to it--you know, my blob is cuter than your blob? I guess that's something we never grow out of. Poor child, it hasn't even been born yet, and we're already trying to figure out what it's going to look like. Obviously, this wasn't really possible a few years ago. My baby sister's 2D ultrasound from back in the 80s is kind of a blur, but all of the images today seem so much clearer, whether 2 or 3D.

Now the attempt to rationalize my obsession with our unborn child's looks: I suppose that when you think about it, this must be something we do subconsciously before we even choose to have children. My mom's pet theory is that we are all subconsciously trying to improve our DNA, and we seek out partners that will fill the gaps so that our kids will be healthier and better looking. It's just one piece of the puzzle, but I must admit that it makes sense to me.

Anyway, we are in love with our little baby, no matter what it looks like, and I must say that I'm getting very excited to meet it!

Robert Bateman's Heloise and Abelard

margaret@theearthlyparadise.com (Margaret) — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:40:00 +0000

I ran across this painting while browsing Christie's website (hey, a girl can dream). It was pained by Robert Bateman(1842-1922), a lesser known artist who is considered more a member of the aesthetic movement than of the pre-raphaelite movement (i.e., he most likely preferred velvet knee-pants to medieval inspired garb).

Bateman was only known to have created 32 paintings during his career, and few have survived. His most well-known work, the Pool of Bethseda, was actually attributed to another artist with the same initials ( Richard Beavis )until 1965! His work has gained recognition over the past few decades as a result of its inclusion in several high-profile Pre-Raphaelite Exhibitions, including The Last Romantics, which appeared at the Barbican Art Gallery in 1989, and The Age of Rossetti, Burne-Jones and Watts: Symbolism in Britain 1860-1910, held at the Tate Gallery in 1997. Bateman was a tremendous fan of Edward Burne-Jones work and a accomplished artist in his own right, but he also pursued gardening and sculpture.

As for this painting, most people assume that the figures depicted are star-crossed lovers Heloise and Abelard, but nobody knows for sure, since Bateman didn't actually give a name to the picture himself. I'm interested to know what you guys think! I do think it's clearly a painting of two lovers whose time is running out. If you click to enlarge the painting, you'll see that Bateman has inscribed the phrase "carpe diem" near the base of the sundial. You will also note the dying sunflower draped over the sundial. (again, it's tough to think of two famous historical or fictional lovers whose time wasn't running out).

The painting is expected to fetch between £30,000 - £50,000 at auction ($46,350 - $77,250 USD).

For more information, visit Christie's website