Victorian Beauty Reflected in Art
The Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to 1901, was a period of dramatic change in Britain, marked by an industrial revolution, rapid urbanisation, and the expansion of the British Empire. It was also a period of diverse and abundant artistic production, reflecting the complex and varied realities of the time. One of the prominent themes that emerged in Victorian art was the idealisation of female beauty, often inspired by mythology, history and literature. This paper will explore how Victorian artists depicted female beauty in different styles and contexts, and what these representations reveal about the Victorian society and culture.
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
One of the most influential artistic movements of the Victorian era was the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, founded in 1848 by a group of young artists who rejected the academic conventions of the time and sought to revive the purity and sincerity of early Renaissance art. The Pre-Raphaelites were fascinated by medieval and classical themes, especially those involving women as protagonists or symbols of beauty, love and virtue. They painted women with realistic details, vibrant colours and expressive emotions, often in contrast to the dark and grimy backgrounds of the industrialised society. Some examples of their works are John Everett Millais’s Ophelia (1851-1852), Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Proserpine (1874) and Edward Burne-Jones’s The Golden Stairs (1880).
The Pre-Raphaelites aimed to create art that was not only aesthetically pleasing but also morally uplifting and socially relevant. They challenged the rigid morality and gender norms of the Victorian era, which confined women to domestic roles and expected them to be passive, obedient and virtuous. The Pre-Raphaelites portrayed women as active, independent and complex characters, sometimes even rebellious or transgressive. They also explored the darker aspects of love, such as betrayal, jealousy, madness and death. Their depiction of female beauty was not merely a superficial idealisation but a reflection of their own personal and artistic aspirations, as well as their critique of the contemporary society.
The Aesthetic Movement
Another artistic movement that emerged in the late Victorian era was the Aesthetic Movement, which emphasised the importance of beauty and pleasure in art, rather than moral or social messages. The Aesthetic Movement was influenced by French art, especially Impressionism and Symbolism, as well as Japanese art and culture. The Aesthetic artists experimented with new techniques, materials and colours, creating works that were refined, elegant and sensual. They also adopted a more detached and ironic attitude towards their subjects, often using humour, satire or parody.
The Aesthetic Movement also had a significant impact on the representation of female beauty in art. The Aesthetic artists depicted women as objects of aesthetic admiration and enjoyment, rather than moral or emotional significance. They painted women in exotic costumes, luxurious settings and suggestive poses, often with an ambiguous or mysterious expression. Some examples of their works are James McNeill Whistler’s Symphony in White No. 1: The White Girl (1862), Albert Moore’s A Summer Night (1890) and John William Godward’s Dolce Far Niente (1904).
The Aesthetic Movement represented a reaction against the moralism and realism of the previous artistic movements, as well as the social pressures and anxieties of the late Victorian era. The Aesthetic artists sought to create art that was purely for art’s sake, without any ulterior motives or meanings. They celebrated female beauty as a source of aesthetic delight and escapism, rather than a symbol of virtue or vice.
Conclusion
Victorian art offers a rich and diverse visual journey into the past, revealing the various ways that artists depicted female beauty in different styles and contexts. The representation of female beauty was not only influenced by artistic trends and innovations but also by social, political and cultural factors. Victorian art reflects the ideals, values and challenges of the Victorian society and culture, as well as the personal visions and emotions of the artists themselves.
