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10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was a group of English painters, poets and critics that, in 1848, set out to reform art by rejecting the mechanistic approach to art that was adopted by the Mannerist artists that succeeded the Italian greats, Michelangelo and Raphael. They defined themselves as a reform movement, with the intention of returning abundant detail, intense colors and complex compositions into the art of the time. Here are 10 of the most notable Pre-Raphaelite paintings ever created: 
 
1. Atlas Turned to Stone
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
This painting was painted in 1882 by British artist Edward Burne-Jones. 
 
2. Chant d'Amour
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
Chant d'Amour, which translates to "the Love Song" in English, was also painted by British artist Edward Burne-Jones. He painted this picture some time between 1868 and 1873. 
3. Isabella
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
Also known as Lorenzo and Isabella, this is the very first Pre-Raphaelite work painted by Sir John Everett Millais. It was first exhibited back in 1849, at the United Kingdom's Royal Art Academy, and it is now on display at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery.
4. Jason and Medea
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
This painting was created by John William Waterhouse in 1907, and depicts a Colchian princess called Medea preparing a magic potion for Jason, a soldier that had been set various tasks by her father. 
5. Medea
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
This painting was actually submitted for display at the Royal Academy of Art's Summer Exhibition of 1868, but rejected. It's believed that this happened due to politics rather than a lack of artistic merit, but nevertheless, it was exhibited a year later. It is the work of artist Frederick Sandys.
 
6. Ophelia
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
Ophelia, from William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, is depicted singing before drowning in a river in this painting. It was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in the 1850s, but did not receive much attention when it went on display. Sir John Everrett Millais' work has since come to be appreciated for its beauty and intricate depiction of a natural landscape.
7. Peace Concluded
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
Another work by Sir John Everett Millais depicts a wounded British officer reading a newspaper report at the end of the Crimean War. It first saw light at the Royal Academy's exhibition in 1856. The central figure in the painting is a portrait of Millais' wife, Effie Gray.
8. Perseus and the Graiae
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
Another of Edward Burne-Jones' painting depicts a scene from the story of the Greek hero, Perseus, who killed the gorgon Medusa. The Graiae are three sisters seen kneeling next to Perseus in the painting, who had only one eye between them. Perseus used the eye to find Medusa. The painting was completed in 1892.
9. The Baleful Head
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
Artist Edward Burne-Jones looked to the myth of Perseus once again for inspiration to create this painting. It depicts Perseus showing Andromeda the head of the slain gorgon, Medusa. The Baleful Head was completed some time between 1886 and 1887. 
10. The Birth of Pegasus and Chrysaor
10 of the Pre-Raphaelites' Most Famous Paintings
Pegasus is a divine winged stallion from Greek mythology, and Chrysaor was his brother. Their father and mother were the god of the sea, Poseidon, and the gorgon, Medusa, respectively. Chrysaor was only born after the hero, Pegasus, chopped off Medusa's head. This is another work by Edward Burne - Jones, and was completed somewhere between 1876 and 1885. 
 
Content and image source: Ranker
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