Thursday, June 25, 2009

Pre-Raphaelite Art at the Delaware Art Museum



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.

8 comments:

blackbird said...

Thanks for the link, Margaret.

New images of work and more background information on some of my favorite artists is so welcome.

Medieval Muse said...

I believe most of their permanent collection was part of the Waking Dreams Exhibit touring the country a few years ago - I was lucky enough to see it in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Margaret said...

Ah, you are so lucky to have had a chance to see part of the collection! Maybe now that Pre-Raphaelite art is gaining popularity, we'll be able to see more of these works on tour.

Teresa Howard said...

I visited the Delaware Art Museum when I was in the USA last year - it is wonderful. Set within the Brandywine area it is surrounded by enormous wooden houses, like the film set for MEET ME IN ST LOUIS! I had a meeting with the curator of the museum, with regard to my musical POSSESSED about the PRB and she was very enthusiastic and absolutely fascinating. She said that the Americans really don't know much about the PRB because they did not buy their art. It is the art of the French Impressionists that they bought up and not the PRB. It is mainly PRB literature and poetry that they study. She is very sad about this. Maybe it is time for a major exhibition over there, but the cost of transporting paintings is so enormous. But if you go to the States it is really well worth a visit.

Margaret said...

Ah, now I have to go! It sometimes surprises me how little people in Canada know about Pre-Raphaelite art. It's strange to me because I guess I was always surrounded by it growing up. It makes sense what you say about the Impressionists though. Now that I think of it, most people in North America have a much better awareness of the Impressionists. I guess it's been like that for a while! Anyway, how neat that you were able to meet with the curator!

Tracy said...

My husband and I have been to the Delaware Art Museum and it's Pre-Raphaelite collection is outstanding! There is so much to see--you could be there a week and not see it all! If on the east coast, it is definitely worth the trip there, as there is nowhere else in the US with such a collection. I hope to go back sometime--so many great memories from seeing that exhibit. Happy Days, Margaret :o)

Hels said...

I am asking art-related bloggers to name their favourite art gallery and say why. If you are interested in participating, please see "World's favourite art galleries".

thanks
Hels
Art and Architecture, mainly

Ginger Doll said...

I'm not that clued up on art, but I found this link really helpful on the pre-r, so thank you.

I am shallow enough to confess to being an Aiden turner admirer, which ultimately led me here, but a little education along the way never goes amiss.