Pip's Art Projects: Andrew Lloyd Webber

I have been watching the Perspectives documentaries on Sundays for a few weeks now. I was especially interested to watch the 'Andrew Lloyd Webber: A Passion for the Pre-Raphaelites' programme. Not only for the fact that I adore the Pre-Raphaelites, but also because I was intrigued to find out why of all people Andrew Lloyd Webber would be presenting it. (I know, I know ... I'm supposed to talk about art on here. I'll get to that in a moment.)

I didn't realise that he had such a passion for this period of art. He owns several pieces, one of them being 'Persephone'. It was so interesting to hear what he had to say about the piece. This painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1874 depicts the daughter of Demeter and Zeus, who was abducted by Hades. She could only escape the underworld if she refused to eat all the fruit surrounding her. Unfortunately she had already been tricked by Hades to eat six seeds of a pomegranate and so had to return to the underworld for six months of every year. When she returned to her mother Demeter (goddess of the earth) the land flourished, however when she returned to the underworld Demeter's grief caused the earth to become cold and die.

The painting itself is, in my opinion exquisite. And the story of Rossetti's obsession with this particular model was just as fascinating to me as the myth of Persephone. Jane Morris was the wife of another of the Pre-Raphaelites William Morris. Rossetti painted her obsessively. Like Persephone Jane Morris split her time with William Morris and Rossetti. Rossetti has idealized Jane Morris a great deal; her neck has been elongated, as have her fingers to make her appear even more elegant.

'Persephone' - Rossetti

And what would a programme about the Pre-Raphaelites be with out mentioning my favorite (and almost everyone else's) 'The Lady of Shallot' by William Waterhouse. I can't wait to see this in the summer!

'The Lady Of Shallot' William Waterhouse

The programme was really informative about the lives of the Pre-Raphaelites and their work. One thing I never knew was that William Holman Hunt produced 'The Awakening Conscience' and 'The Light of The World' with the intention that they would be exhibited side by side. When you really think about it, it makes sense. The compositions flow from one to the other when seen in this format. They both have a strong morality. Although these morals differ they have a religious theme. It is a shame that they are no longer exhibited together. 'The Awakening Conscience' is in the Tate collection, so I will definately be visiting when I go to London this summer.