The Stunners: The private lives of the Pre-Raphaelites

by Julian Halsby

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November 22nd

The Stunners: The private lives of the Pre-Raphaelites

The Pre-Raphaelite painters were rebels both artistically and in their conduct which often shocked their Victorian contemporaries. Most indulged in romantic affairs with beautiful women whom Rossetti called ‘The Stunners’. 


Julian examines the roles of Fanny Cornforth, Lizzie Siddall, Annie Miller, Janey Morris, Maria Zambaco, Alexa Wilding and Effie Ruskin in the private lives of the painters.  He shows how these women were very modern in their attitudes and their dress and how the Pre-Raphaelite concept of beauty has endured. 

Julian Halsby


Julian Halsby studied History of Art at Cambridge. Formerly Senior Lecturer and Head of Department at Croydon College of Art. He has written a number of publications including Venice - the Artist's Vision. He interviews artists for the Artist Magazine and is a member of the International Association of Art Critics and The Critics Circle. A practising artist, Julian was elected to the Royal Society of British Artists in 1994 and appointed Keeper in 2010.

Image credit: From Wikipedia all in Public domain.