The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: Thinking Historically About Artistic Movements Main Menu Introduction Final Project for HIST 689 How to Think Historically Historical Contexts The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: Founding Members Conclusion

Literary Analysis

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As was characteristic of the medieval and Pre-Raphaelite artists, religious characters and stories were oftentimes the subject of their work. Rossetti was no different, though his interpretation of the scene caused much controversy when it was entered in the National Exhibition in 1850. We will now examine this painting in tandem with the first chapter of Luke from the New Testament in the Bible. 
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV) 
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 
Reflect: Re-examine Rossetti’s painting again for another 3 minutes. After reading the biblical excerpt, what do you notice? How has your perspective changed? How does this painting exemplify the evolving philosophies of the brotherhood concerning art? 

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