I’m not sure how many people have seen this mini series, but I thought in an effort to make sure I post regularly I would mention this wonderful show. Desperate Romantics is a BBC series of the life of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. One thing that was impressive about this show, was all the effort they put into recreating some of the Brotherhoods paintings. In the show you will see a few pieces, such as;
- Christ in the House of His Parents (1849–50) by John Everett Millais
- Ophelia (1851-2) by John Everett Millais
- The Order of Release (1854) by John Everett Millais
- The Scapegoat (1856) by William Holman Hunt
- Bocca Baciata (1859) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- Beata Beatrix (1872) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- The Shadow of Death (1872) by William Holman Hunt
- Oxford Union murals (1857-9) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones et al.
As well as sketch or images of;
- Ecce Ancilla Domini (1849–50) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- The Hireling Shepherd (1851) by William Holman Hunt
- The Light of the World (1853–54) by William Holman Hunt
- The Awakening Conscience (1853) by William Holman Hunt
- Dante’s Vision of Rachel and Leah (1855) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- The Blind Girl (1856) by John Everett Millais
- Autumn Leaves (1856) by John Everett Millais
- The Holy Family (undated) by Elizabeth Siddal
- The Rowing Boat (undated) by Elizabeth Siddal
- Venus Verticordia (1868) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- Bubbles (1886) by John Everett Millais
Though I’m not sure how accurate the show is, it is a fascinating insight on some of some great artists.
Desperate Romantics was entertaining if a bit superficial. They had such dramatic lives especially Lizzie and Rossetti and I love the art.
Drats! My cable company no longer provides the BBC. I really wish I could have watched this.
Unlucky, need to track down the DVD
I loved the series – unfortunately the BBC wasn’t entirely accurate in it’s research…nevertheless, a good series!