25. Call for a New Pre-Raphaelite Studies

Pre-Raphaelitism has, unofficially, served somewhat as the “awkward cousin” of art history; its artwork being too gaudy and cringe-inducing in its sentimentality and extremity of feeling, with its scholars often accused (sometimes rightly) of over-familiarity with their artist subjects, too focused on biographical lines of inquiry, with over-emphasis upon artists’ intentions. To counter accusations of the field being stale and repetitive in its methodologies and interests, this panel seeks to emphasise its value not just to art history but to the humanities at large.

The question at the heart of this panel is: How might the study of the aesthetics, receptions, and intentions of Pre-Raphaelite art contribute to a more collaborative, interdisciplinary mode of scholarship? For example, what might the study of Pre-Raphaelite visual culture look like under the lens of Adaptation Studies? How might the study of Pre-Raphaelite art contribute to critical conversations surrounding anti-racism and decolonisation in the museum sector? What would an ecocritical approach to Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic concerns look like? Building on David J. Getsy’s 2022 essay “How to Teach Manet’s Olympia after Transgender Studies”, might we approach the study of Rossetti’s sensual icons of femininity today in new ways that depart from essentialist views of sex and gender, to embrace transgender, nonbinary, and intersex readings? What might a neurodivergent approach to Pre-Raphaelite art look like?

This panel encourages papers exploring a broad range of methodological framings. Papers from interdisciplinary art historians who don’t necessarily specialise in Pre-Raphaelite art are highly encouraged.

Themes: Pre-Raphaelite, interdisciplinarity, methodology

Lead Convenor: Susie Beckham, Yale Center for British Art, USA

To submit a Paper to this Session, please follow the guidance on our website and complete the AAH 2027 Call for Papers Proposal Submission Form.