Royal Academy, second notice

Royal Academy Exhibition 1875, second notice.

Rossetti, William M. "The Royal Academy Exhibition." Academy (May 15, 1875): 158. Web. 21 Sept. 2011.

Rossetti reviews "Historical Subjects" and "General Subjects." The opening remarks include a reference to the Prince of Wales who is said to be as knowledgeable about art matters "as nineteen men out of twenty, but a good deal less than the twentieth," which appears to be an indictment of the Prince's as well as the general public's art knowledge. Rossetti references the public's dubious awareness of art quality with the anecdote about the Prince's remark and also referencing the fame accruing to "Miss Thompson"[1] after her last exhibition where she impressed "a number of people 'as easily led by the nose as asses are.'" Rossetti refers to the catalogue explaining Miss Thompson's work, extending the explanation with historical details.

He remarks on the success of one of Elizabeth Thompson's military subjects, citing the fact that the subject being military and Thompson being female make its impact and import extraordinary.

The work of familiar Pre-Raphaelite movement painters is discussed, including John Pettie, Sir John Everett Millais, Sir Edward John Poynter, Poole, Moore, William Powell Frith, and Sir Frederick Leighton.

Albert Moore is singled out as having accumulated an "absolute fatuity of praise" from critics which is unwarranted in Rossetti's estimation.

critical

RA exhibition, historical subjects, general subjects

Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic standards

evaluative, polemic

Elizabeth Thompson, John Pettie, Albert Moore, Sir John Everett Millais, Sir Edward John Poynter, Poole, William Powell Frith, Sir Frederick Leighton