It is a pleasure to welcome Dr Caroline Kaye to the podcast to discuss Holman Hunt's iconic 'The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple'. Speaking of the depth of colour, religious symbolism and the crowded use of space, Caroline shows us how Holman Hunt's work has striking parallels with Renaissance works such as Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'. For mo…

It is a pleasure to welcome the Pre-Raphaelite Society's own Tim McGee to the Podcast. Many of you will know Tim for his incredible graphic design work on the Pre-Raphaelite Society's website and elsewhere. Today, Tim is here to talk to us about his incredible letter collection. As well as delving into his personal archive of Pre-Raphaelite letters…

It is a pleasure to welcome Dr Melanie Rose and John Reed to the Podcast to talk about an upcoming exhibition on the underappreciated but talented and varied artist Fred Appleyard. Melanie and John explore the life and career of Appleyard as he transitioned from late Pre-Raphaelitism into early-English Impressionism. The exhibition aims to raise th…

We are delighted to welcome D M Denton (Diane) to the podcast to talk about her latest novel 'The Dove Upon Her Branch: ​A Novel Portrait ​ of Christina Rossetti'. Diane discusses the research processes involved in writing historical novels while trying to convey the true story of a person that has often been overlooked in media adaptions of Pre-Ra…

It feels like Spring has finally sprung, the sun is out and May Day has been and gone. This means that it is the perfect time to welcome back Pre-Raphaelite Society's poet-in-residence Sarah Doyle for something a little different. Sarah reads a selection of Pre-Raphaelite poetry based around the theme of Spring and one her own excellent composition…

We are delighted to welcome Dr Amy Lim to the podcast to discuss the exhibition 'Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520-1920' which opens at Tate Britain on May 16th. Amy speaks about the enormous scope of such an exhibition through key themes and barriers in the field women's art which have recurred across the centuries. With plenty of nine…

We are delighted to welcome Elizabeth Prettejohn and Peter Trippi to the podcast to discuss the stunning exhibition 'Pre-Raphaelites: Modern Renaissance'. Currently open at the Musei di San Domenico in Forlì, near Bologna, this incredible project traces the influence of Italian art on the Pre-Raphaelites. Elizabeth and Peter discuss the big themes …

It is a pleasure to introduce Rocío Moyano Rejano to the podcast. Rocío is a PhD student from the University of Malaga who studies the depictions and legacies of Shakespeare's heroines in art and literature. Rocío talks to us about the longstanding cultural impact of Ophelia and how various Pre-Raphaelite artists chose to engage with her story. For…

We are delighted to welcome the wonderful Kyle Cassidy and Trillian Stars to the podcast to talk about their latest project which combines incredible photographic images alongside the poetry of Elizabeth Siddall. Kyle and Trillian have a long, rich history in photography, modelling and film making. Today they tell us how a trip to London grew into …

We are pleased to welcome the Pre-Raphaelite Society's poet-in-residence Sarah Doyle for something a little different. Sarah reads and explores two poems that have influenced Pre-Raphaelite works, 'La Belle Dame sans Merci' by John Keats and the iconic 'The Lady of Shalott' by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Sarah also reads her own wonderful work 'Cursed'. …

We are delighted to welcome the wonderful Frances Dickey to the podcast to talk about the influences of Rossetti on T.S. Eliot. This episode focuses on both 'The Blessed Damozel' and 'The Wasteland' but Rossetti's influence on Eliot was multifaceted and, at times, a point of disgust and of uncanny personal similarity. For more information and to su…

We are delighted to welcome Stuart Eggleton to the Podcast to talk about an exciting new play based on the life of Simeon Solomon. Stuart outlines his journey of rigorous research and creative thinking that has informed the play and the characterisation of Solomon, particularly around his identity as a gay, Jewish artist who suffered for his outsid…

We are delighted to welcome the wonderful Margje Bijl to the podcast to talk about her upcoming exhibition 'Looking for Janey'. Margje, an amazing multi-medium artist and creator, has been fascinated and inspired by Jane Morris' life and striking appearance in portraits and photographs for many years. She shares her unique story, research and artis…

It was a pleasure to join Victoria Osborne from Birmingham Museums to discuss the hotly awaited homecoming of the 'Victorian Radicals' exhibition from a long, but successful, trip to America. Victoria tells us about the importance of the Birmingham collection and what treasures we can expect to see. From paintings to furniture to clothing, the Birm…

We are delighted to welcome Dr Peter Forsaith and Dr Ruth Slatter to the podcast to talk about the life, times and works of James Smetham. A recent exhibition of Smetham's work at Bewdley Museum explored the themes of spirituality and mental illness and the impact they had on Smetham's work and life. Despite close friendships with Ruskin and D.G. R…

It is a pleasure to welcome the legendary art historian and scholar Pamela Gerrish Nunn to the podcast to talk about the life and times of Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale. Brickdale is considered among the 'Neo-Pre-Raphaelites', the final generation of the nineteenth-century. As such, she carried Pre-Raphaelitism into the twentieth century and into ver…

We are delighted to welcome the wonderful Marina Elphick to the podcast. A figurative and textile artist, Marina has combined her multiple talents to create a range of Muse Dolls inspired by the lives and paintings of women within the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Marina discusses her creative process with us, sharing her insights into the lives and sto…

A first for us. We are live in front of a studio audience at Delaware Art Museum for the Pre-Raphaelite Weekend celebrating the launch of 'The Rossettis'. Alex, Sheri and Hannah are joined by Delaware's Sophie Lynford to discuss the transition of the exhibition from The Tate in London, what is new and different, how the launch has gone and answerin…

We are delighted to welcome Celia Ramino to the podcast. Better know online as Artista Prerrafaelita, Celia speaks to Ester about her work in sharing and communicating a love of Pre-Raphaelite art with the people of Spain and across the world. Through shared mythology and broad cultural themes, Artista Prerrafaelita uses modern media technology to …

To coincide with the Pre-Raphaelite Society's Annual General Meeting, we are pleased to present this episode featuring esteemed guest Tim Barringer. Tim engages in a conversation with Sheri, delving into his enduring fascination with the Pre-Raphaelites and his substantial contributions to the re-evaluation and presentation of this artistic movemen…

We are delighted to welcome Sarah Hardy from the De Morgan foundation to the Podcast. Sarah chats with Hannah about the life and works of this unique Arts and Crafts marriage. Sarah discusses the importance of the De Morgan foundation in preserving and exhibiting their works and tells us about some of the treasures and new discoveries in the collec…

After the success of 'The Rossettis' at the Tate, the entire exhibition is moving across the ocean to Delaware Art Museum. Earlier this year, Sheri met with the mastermind behind the project, Sophie Lynford, to discuss this monumental collaboration and the importance of the Delaware Pre-Raphaelite collection. There is an important update at the end…

We are doing something a little different today. It is a pleasure to welcome the wonderful Deborah Rose to the Podcast. Deborah is an internationally successful musician whose work frequently draws on Pre-Raphaelitism for inspiration. Deborah chats to Alex about the impact that Pre-Raphaelite imagery, poetry and philosophy has had on her song writi…

We are delighted to welcome illustrator Georgie McAusland to the podcast. Georgie and Ester chat about her new, fresh approaches to illustrating 'Goblin Market' and what sets Georgie's approach apart from previous works by Dante Rossetti, Arthur Rackham and... Playboy! Please visit Georgie McAusland's website at: https://georgiemcausland.com/ For m…

We are pleased to welcome Dr Gayle Seymour to the podcast. Gayle talks to Sheri about her research career exploring the life and works of Simeon Solomon. As a gay, Jewish artist, Solomon's works have been neglected undeservedly. Yet Solomon was a pioneer in many artistic areas. Listen on to find out why! For more information and to subscribe to the…

We are delighted to welcome art historian and critic Ruth Millington to the podcast. Ruth joins Hannah Squire to discuss her latest work 'Muse: Uncovering the Hidden Figures Behind Art History's Masterpieces' and the shifting roles of the 'Muse' in relation to Pre-Raphaelitism. Ruth's book is available from all good bookshops now! For more informat…

Alex travelled all the way to the Isle of Wight to join the charming Dr Brian Hinton at Dimbola Museum and Galleries. Brian and Alex discuss the works of Julia Margaret Cameron, the restoration and preservation of Dimbola and Farringford, and the Pre-Raphaelite connections to the Isle of Wight. Please excuse the audio quality in small parts of this…

Birmingham Cathedral houses four of Burne-Jones' most impressive stained glass windows. National Lottery Heritage Funding has enabled a major restoration project for these windows. In this episode, Alex meets with Anna, Rhian and Clare from the Divine Beauty project to discuss Burne-Jones, Birmingham Cathedral and the significance of these incredib…

It is an honour to welcome Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to the podcast. Andrew talks to Alex about a lifetime of collecting Pre-Raphaelite art and how the legacy and popular appeal of the movement has changed. From an early interest in Victorian church architecture, Andrew Lloyd Webber has built one of the finest private collections of Victorian and Pr…

Ester welcomes the wonderful Mary Arseneau to the podcast to talk about the incredible project 'Christina Rossetti in Music'. The musicality of Christina Rossetti's poetry is an area that is often underappreciated, yet central to how we relate to Rossetti today. Mary Arseneau explains how and why Christina Rossetti's poetry lends itself particularl…

Hannah Squire is joined by Daniel Robbins and Hannah Lund, the curatorial team at Leighton House, home of the artist Frederic Lord Leighton. More that just a home, Leighton House was a working studio and a lifetime's project that demonstrated how an artist should live. Listen to find out more about Frederic Leighton and his fascinating, beautiful h…

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome the novelist and researcher Dr Nat Reeve for a fresh and unique look at the poetry of Elizabeth Siddall. With a fresh focus on disruption and disorder, Nat Reeve builds on the latest scholarship to show how Siddall's writing lends itself well to the application of queer theory and queer readings. If you …

As the exhibition at the Tate is now in full swing, Karl is delighted to welcome Dinah Roe to the podcast to introduce a rather different approach to Christina Rossetti's poetry. For a significant portion of her life, Christina Rossetti took on the role of carer for various members of her family. With this in mind, Dinah Roe is currently editing Ro…

As Marie Spartali Stillman's new shiny blue plaque is unveiled today, Hannah Squire welcomes the eminent Pre-Raphaelite researcher and curator Jan Marsh back to the podcast. Hannah and Jan are joined by Cathy Power, the Blue Plaque manager for English Heritage. This wonderful episode explores Spartali Stillman's fascinating life and career, the int…

We are staying with the Rossetti's for a while! Today, Sheri welcomes Eleonora Sasso to the podcast to explore some of the key ways to explore the works of D.G. Rossetti including: dualism, symbolism, orientalism and aestheticism. Eleonora Sasso also outlines how the exotic and dream-like elements of Rossetti's works were a significant influence on…

In this episode, Alex and Hannah welcome Carol Jacobi, the curator of the monumental retrospective 'The Rossettis' which opens at the Tate gallery today. This is the first major exhibition of Dante Rossetti's work in a generation. Moreover, it is the largest exhibition of Elizabeth Siddall's work for over thirty years. Carol Jacobi talks us through…

We are pleased to welcome Dr Roberto Ferrari, Curator of Art Properties at Columbia University to the Podcast. Roberto gives us an excellent overview of the fascinating Solomon family including the life and times of Simeon, Rebecca and Abraham. The Solomon's were an important part of the Pre-Raphaelite story and their legacies continue to provide v…

The release of this episode coincides with the auction of Marie Spartali Stillman's 'The Old Barn' which is happening today (29th March 2023). Hannah Squire talks to Anita Houghton about the important project 'Art for All by All'. The project aims to encourage public galleries to diversify their displays and collections to ensure fairer representat…

To celebrate the release of the wonderful book 'Pre-Raphaelite Sisters: Art, Poetry and Female Agency in Victorian Britain', we are delighted to welcome the editors Glenda Youde and Robert Wilkes to the podcast. This ground-breaking book was inspired by the recent 'Pre-Raphaelite Sisters' exhibition and contains a number of essays that explore new …

In this two-part special edition to mark International Women's Day, we are delighted to welcome renowned author and Suffrage researcher Elizabeth Crawford. With a focus on the Manchester Art Gallery, Elizabeth Crawford chats to Hannah Squire about Annie Swynnerton and Isabel Dacre. Both artists had important connections to the Pre-Raphaelites and t…

PART 2: In this two-part special edition to mark International Women's Day, we are delighted to welcome renowned author and Suffrage researcher Elizabeth Crawford. With a focus on the Manchester Art Gallery, Elizabeth Crawford chats to Hannah Squire about Annie Swynnerton and Isabel Dacre. Both artists had important connections to the Pre-Raphaelit…

We delighted to welcome Jordan Walsh back to the Pre-Raphaelite Podcast. Today Jordan talks to Karl about his research exploring the themes of Religion and Nature. This episode centres on space and place in Pre-Raphaelitism, drawing on eco-criticism, Gothic and the Sublime. Let's welcome in the Spring! For more information and to subscribe to the P…

Dr Amy Lim speaks to us from the Stanley Spencer Gallery about the influences of the Pre-Raphaelites on Stanley Spencer's work. Concentrating on the themes of religion and nature, we discover some surprising overlaps through early Italian influences, the writings of Ruskin and a commitment to truthful depiction. For more information and to subscrib…

Live from the Watts Gallery, Hannah is joined by curators Dr Lauren MacCulloch and Dr Alice Eden to explore the exhibition 'Dreams and Stories: Modern Pre-Raphaelite Visionaries'. Largely focusing on the 'third generation' of Pre-Raphaelitism, the exhibition features wonderful works by Frederick Cayley Robinson, Marianne Stokes, Thomas Cooper Gotch…

Kath Burlinson speaks to us about adapting Rossetti's sensuous and magical 'Goblin Market' for the stage. Kath talks us through the scripting, costumes and music, but also how to navigate and retain the multiple meanings and readings of the poem in a stage production. For more information and to subscribe to the Pre-Raphaelite Society, please visit…

Hannah and Karl return to Wightwick Manor for a live recording. As well as being a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Podcast team, Hannah is museum professional and curator who has a long association with Wightwick. Hannah speaks about her career, interests and experiences curating exhibitions of Elizabeth Siddall and Evelyn De Morgan's work. F…

Fanny Eaton remains a significant figure in both art history and black history. Long overlooked and underappreciated, Fanny Eaton recently received the honour of a blue plaque to celebrate her life. In this episode, Brian Eaton, Fanny's great-grandson tells us the story of his valuable research into her life and contribution to the Pre-Raphaelites.…

The wonderful Kirsty Stonell Walker talks to the team about the life and times of Fanny Cornforth. Possibly the most underappreciated of Rossetti's 'stunners', Fanny's life and contribution to Pre-Raphaelitism has undergone a radical reassessment in Kirsty Stonell Walker's latest work Stunner: The Fall and Rise of Fanny Cornforth .…

Dr Jan Marsh, one of the most eminent scholars of Pre-Raphaelitism, speaks to us about the temporary export bar on Rebecca Solomon's important work 'A Young Teacher'. An important work in Jewish, Black and Women's history, Jan Marsh outlines what the export bar might mean for the future of the painting. All donations towards the maintenance of this…

The Pre-Raphaelite Podcast team get back together for this special episode. We discuss the successes of the last few months, laugh about a few particular highlights and look forward to the next year. Expect Burne-Jones, D.G. Rossetti, Robert Braithwaite Martineau, wombats, Muppets and...taxidermy! GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/n54gt-sup…