A Pre-Raphaelite Journey

Book excerpt: Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale (1872-1945) was an accomplished painter, illustrator and designer whose artistic life bridged the Victorian and modern worlds. Her work was much influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite artists whose love of detail, colour, symbolism, storytelling and nature was so hugely influential on mid Victorian Britain. Eleanor's own work carried the Pre-Raphaelite style forward into the 20th century. Indeed she became known as 'the last Pre-Raphaelite'. Despite her huge popularity in her own time, Eleanor's work has been neglected since her death in 1945. This book is the first monograph on the artist. It is the result of extensive research by Pamela Gerrish Nunn, whose work on Pre-Raphaelite women artists has done so much to re-assess the art history of the Victorian period. Here, the author takes us on a journey through Eleanor's training, career and achievements to re-establish her as an important and fascinating figure in the history of Pre-Raphaelite art. Published by Liverpool University Press with National Museums Liverpool