Week 4: History and Theory of Art as Method
Blog task: Discuss how you might use areas of the history and/or theory of art in analysing some appropriate images
John Roberts Parsons was an Irish photographer best known for his series which included Jane Morris who began a romantic liaison with Rossetti that lasted until 1876. Rossetti’s obsession with Jane Morris explores the role of Jane as Dantes Gabriel Rossetti’s chief muse and pre- raphaelite beauty. The affair between the two was a source of many of the deep meaningful paintings.
Parsons still to this day is known for the series of pictures he made for Rossetti in the summer of 1865 where Jane was directed into a number of poses for future works. Everything about these images focus on her distinctive dark hair, her smooth outlines and silk gowns. In many examples her positioning was central to the composition bringing the viewers to admire her importance, her flawless persona.
The second image which grabbed my attention is one created by Cameron where the photographic model Alice Liddell posed many times during Aug-Sept 1872. This particular image is captured against a dense background of enhanced flowers. She was captured by the photographer as the embodiment of fruitful abundance. The Roman goddess of gardens and fruit trees.
In Roman mythology Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees, orchards and gardens married Vertumnus who had coned her to talking to him as he disguised himself as an old woman. She was also known to be a mythological guardian spirit (Numina) who watched over people, homes and other sacred places. Following this thought it is believed that photographer Cameron had captured Alice in an almost angelic look where the portrait itself consists of warm tones of black and grey emphasisng her warm smooth features. Her upheld stance illustrates her importance as an individual bringing one to create the comparisons between Alice and Pomona.