The Pre-Raphaelites and the Art of the Victorian Age

About this course:

Ushered in with the reign of Queen Victoria in 1837, the Victorian Age in Britain was a time of extreme dichotomies. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, England was at the forefront of industrialization and technological advancement. But that prosperity and advancement was countered by the rise of poverty and concerns for social welfare, and there was also a growing sense of modernization and independence which was hindered by an oppressive sense of morality and properness. In this course, we look at a small group of revolutionary artists who fought against the conservative nature of both the British Academy and their culture. These Pre-Raphaelites strove to realistically depict their contemporary period while also railing against the restrictions of their time. Their works shot them to fame and opened the art world to more variety and individuality in the arts. We also explore the environment that instigated the revolution of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and encouraged their followers. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.