Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

Surface detail and forms such as plants are clear, and vivid color appears luminous.

Visual traits

• Detailed surface
• Vivid color
• Clear natural forms

Expected changes

• Details of plants and objects are more likely to be legible
• Color is more likely to appear vivid and clear

Definition

A historical art style that renders surfaces of figures, plants, and objects in detail while maintaining vivid color and clear contour. It does not designate a particular artist, work, narrative, or religious subject.

In more detail

It makes surface detail and natural forms such as plants legible, arranging color in clear relationships. Subject, period setting, clothing, and narrative remain separate choices.

Includes

• Detailed surface
• Vivid color
• Clear natural forms

Excludes

• Imitation of a particular artist or work
• A particular literary
• mythological
• or religious narrative
• Particular period clothing

What this does not imply

• A particular artist
• work
• literary or religious narrative
• Particular clothing or period
• A particular region

Variability

Because this is based on general art-term indexes, details of historical subjects and context need separate verification.

Usage

• Keep surface detail and vivid color
• Specify narrative and period setting separately

Distinguish similar expressions

• Specify a particular literary or religious narrative separately with verified evidence

Typical uses

• Depict figures
• animals
• or plants with vivid color and detailed surfaces

Possible failure modes

• Detail becomes overcrowded and obscures the subject
• The result becomes imitation of a particular work