The Cult of Beauty

The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900.

I went to the above mentioned expo today, at the V & A, and it was fantastic, well worth the effort. I think I prefer the later 'art for arts sake' paintings over the early preraphaelite pieces, which can be a bit earnest, preachy and over-wrought.

Some of the highlights:

Whistler 'Symphony in White (nubers 1, 2, and 3)

Thomas Armstrong, 'The Hay Field'

Burne-Jones, 'Beguiling of Merlin', 'Laus Veneris' (Much more impressive in the flesh than in reproduction, the detail is stunning)
The Golden Stairs

Lord Leighton, 'Bath of Psyche'

Albert Moore 'Midsummer'

Lawrence Alma-Tadema 'The Tepidarium' (this one is tiny, yet such detail and convincing texture...)

Harry Bates, 'Mors Janua Vitae' (This was a damned impressive thing in real life, can't find a photo that nearly does it justice. It's made of bronze, ivory and mother of pearl.)

Dante Gabriel Rossetti: 'The Day Dream'

Albert Gilbert, 'Perseus Arming'.

And much more besides, often featuring peacock feathers.