The Pre-Raphaelites are of great interest to the VV – not only because of their influence on her own novel writing, but also because of the new exhibition about to open at Tate Britain - Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Avant-Garde.
The VV will be visiting very soon and writing more about the exhibition then. But, in the meantime, this past Saturday, September 8, the anniversary of the founding day of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood was celebrated by The Pre-Raphaelite Society who organized a Twitter vote where people were asked to nominate their favourite Pre-Raphaelite painting.
The winner was Millais’ Ophelia, a truly stunning work of art - and the Tate’s best-selling postcard!
In second place was Gabriel Dante Rossetti’s Beata Beatrix, though the VV must confess that she fails to see the allure of this particular work.
Coming third was JW Waterhouse’s magnificent Lady of Shallot.
So, two of the VV’s favourite artists there - with Millais’ darkly brooding A Somnambulist featuring in her novel, The Somnambulist...
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And now, J W Waterhouse’s A Mermaid has created the inspiration for Elijah’s Mermaid, which is to be published this coming November.
What is your favourite Pre-Raphalite painting? The VV would love to know.