Journal – Hopkins and Pre-Raphaelite Art
The trees in the treeline.jpg is similar to the ones we drew in class, the sycamore and the pine tree, and different in ways as well. The treeline picture has trees similar to the pine tree in front of the Littlefield house. Both are set up with branches ranging in what looks like horizontal levels. The oak2.jpg picture did not appear similar to any of the trees, to me, except for the fact that it was a tree. The oak tree sprouts out differently and the trunk appears a lot smaller with the leaves appearing a lot healthier than the sycamore tree. It was also interesting for me to observe and compare these trees even though they were in rather different settings, one being surrounded by a man-made area while the other seems out in the open with the rest of mother nature. From the drawing/writing exercises at the HRC sycamore and the Littlefield pine, I mainly learned how to observe. I began to notice how detailed every aspect of the tree was, at the HRC sycamore, in comparison with the man-made entity behind it and the intricacies in architect of the Littlefield house in comparison with nature, the level of man-made ornate creations versus Mother Nature’s ornate creations. I also learned to appreciate both the man made and natural objects. I also learned to switch my brain from drawing to writing; an extremely difficult thing that I’ve discovered comes with much practice. Observing Hopkin’s writings in the original manuscripts has made me understand the level of respect the world of English has for him, the time period during which he wrote, and if I were knowledgeable of handwritings I’d probably be able to predict the kind of person he was. Learning about written materials of a person and actually seeing the written materials has a different effect on me as far as with learning. One can only rely on faith in so much of their classes that actually seeing it sprouts more curiosity and interest. Pre-Raphaelite art is very interesting! The history, the symbolism, the colors used, the incorporation of religion, and the stories behind the paintings fascinate me. I always knew that visualized art always had an effect on perception of beauty and it is proved during the Victorian period that Rossetti’s views of his models changed the “concept of feminine beauty in the Victorian period to the tall, thin, long-necked, long-haired stunners of frail health” (Everett 904). I’m sure much of Rossetti’s work was influenced by many of his models and mistresses that he fell in love with. Jane Burden, being one of them that ended up marrying Morris (Everett 903). But honestly, everyone wants a ‘Jane’. Haha!