Manchester Art Gallery hosts William Holman Hunt and the Pre-Raphaelite Vision

Written by Earlene Dempster Saturday, 23 October 2010 23:38

 

MANCHESTER, UK - This autumn Manchester Art Gallery stages the first international exhibition in over 40 years dedicated to the life and work of Pre-Raphaelite master William Holman Hunt. For the first time ever, you can see all three versions of Hunt's world famous painting The Light of the World displayed together, alongside popular works such as The Awakening Conscience and Isabella and the Pot of Basil. On exhibition through 11 January, 2009.

It's an opportunity to see rarely shown drawings and watercolours by Hunt, including a self-portrait on loan from the Uffizi gallery, Florence, Italy. These are complemented by favorite works from the gallery's own collection including The Hireling Shepherd and The Scapegoat.

Find out more about Hunt's central role in the radical Pre-Raphaelite art movement too. Displays including maps, photographs and letters trace his life in the UK and periods of residence in the Middle East.

William Holman Hunt was born in London on 2 April 1827. A clerk for several years, he left the world of trade to study at the British Museum and the National Gallery. In 1844 he entered the Royal Academy. Here he joined with Millais and Rossetti to develop the Pre-Raphaelite theories of art and, in 1848, to found the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His first canvas to interpret these themes was Rienzi, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1849. In 1854 Hunt went to the Holy Land to portray scenes from the life of Christ, aiming to achieve total historical and archaelogical truth. He returned to Palestine in 1869 and again in 1873. Throughout his life Hunt remained dedicated to Pre-Raphaelite concepts.

2 million people a year visit Manchester's award-winning museums and galleries, including Manchester Art Gallery. You come to see our world class collections and our stunning buildings. You come to relax in our cafes, browse in our shops and have a great day out with friends and family. You want to see Pre-Raphaelites or contemporary art, dinosaurs or steam engines, war photography or wallpapers. Whatever you want, it's all here, in Manchester's museums and galleries. Visit : www.manchestergalleries.org/

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