The world of books and art, 1789 – 1914
The artist behind both these paintings - John Everett Millais - was a child art prodigy, and in his late teens co-founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The PRB was founded at his family home in London - [then] 83 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London. I worked nearby at 82 Gower Street for about 18 months, and many... Continue Reading →
The Victorian sporting calendar in pictures.
Readers reading #5 The Poor Poet (1839) – By Carl Spitzweg (1808 –1885). Neue Pinakothek (New Pinakothek), Munich, Germany. There's a man who has the right priorities. Little furniture, but plenty of books. Leaky roof, but no matter as he has an umbrellor. A poet? Not much new quality written that year. For some context... Continue Reading →
Readers reading #4 The Novel Reading (1841) - By Josef Danhauser: 1805-1845. A happy couple. I wonder what the armour, book on the floor and general clutter means? I suspect it must mean something because the artist (Josef Danhauser) was a man whose work was inspired by a wonderful series of engravings by the English painter,... Continue Reading →
Readers reading #3 A Pleasant Corner (1865) - By John Callcott Horsley: 1817 – 1903. Donated to the Royal Academy by the artist. "Sorry to disturb, thought you might like a cup of tea." The third post in the “Readers reading” series (this was the first, this was the second). The colours and the shading... Continue Reading →
Readers reading #1 A Girl Reading In A Sailing Boat (1869) By Alfred Corbould (1852 - 1920). A Girl Reading In A Sailing Boat (1869) by Alfred Chantrey Corbould (1852-1920). Looking at those dates, it makes the artist about 17 years old when he painted this lovely work. Alfred came from a long line of... Continue Reading →
Where is Anne Catherick?! Or to be more accurate where is this painting? In a Tumblr post on Wilkie Collins' sensational novel The Woman in White, I used the Pre-Raphaelite painting for illustration. The Somnambulist by John Everett Millais. It is thought by some that Millais was inspired by the book. It left me wanting... Continue Reading →
The Long Victorian 