Royal Academy, fifth notice

Royal Academy Exhibition 1875, fifth notice.

Rossetti, William M. "The Royal Academy Exhibition." Academy (June 19, 1875): 163. Web. 21 Sept. 2011.

This fifth section (of six) of Rossetti's review evaluates portraits and lastly, animal paintings. The review is largely favorable and as far as portraits go, focused mostly on the work of Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood movement artists Sir John Everett Millais, George Frederick Watts, Frederick Sandys, Sir Frederick Leighton, Archer and Cameron, all of whom Rossetti credits with producing "the best pictures of the year." Sandys, it should be noted, was considered among Rossetti's inner circle of Cheyne Walk friends (Reminiscences 2:320).

Browning is the subject of two of the favorable portraits of both Lehman and Sant, and Sant is compared favorably to Sir John Everett Millais, reinforcing as Rossetti consistently does the high aesthetic standard Millais exemplifies.

There is a discussion of the recurring (in Rossetti critiques of Royal Academy exhibitions) topic of poor hanging positions and the process for determining gallery placement, this one centered on the placement of a Gladstone portrait near the ceiling.

Rossetti divides the remaining portrait commentary into two groups according to the artist's gender, making only general remarks and bare mention for the rest. Finally, Rossetti considers animal portraiture, urging exhibit-goers to "make some acquaintance also with the beasts that figure in the undermentioned painting" he only addresses in passing and with little critical discussion.

critical

Royal Academy 1875 portraits, animal paintings; PRB painters

PRB aesthetic principles

evaluative

Sir John Everett Millais, George Frederick Watts, Frederick Sandys, Sir Frederick Leighton, Archer, Cameron, Browning and Lehman