# Evelyn De Morgan > Pre-Raphaelite artist (1993- (1855–1919) **Wikidata**: [Q235903](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235903) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_De_Morgan) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/evelyn-de-morgan ## Summary Evelyn De Morgan was a British Pre-Raphaelite artist active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is known for her symbolic paintings that often explored themes of spirituality, mythology, and social reform. ## Biography - Born: 30 August 1855 - Nationality: British (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland) - Education: Attended Slade School of Fine Art - Known for: Pre-Raphaelite paintings with spiritual and mythological themes - Employer(s): Independent artist - Field(s): Painting, visual arts ## Contributions Evelyn De Morgan created numerous paintings throughout her career, including the work "Flora" completed in 1894. Her artistic contributions were primarily in the form of oil paintings that incorporated Pre-Raphaelite techniques and symbolism. She developed a distinctive style that combined classical influences with contemporary social commentary, particularly addressing women's rights and spiritual themes. ## FAQs What artistic movement was Evelyn De Morgan associated with? Evelyn De Morgan was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, creating paintings that featured detailed symbolism and mythological themes characteristic of this artistic style. Where did Evelyn De Morgan receive her artistic training? Evelyn De Morgan received her artistic training at the Slade School of Fine Art, which was part of University College London and had been established in 1871. What are some notable themes in Evelyn De Morgan's artwork? Evelyn De Morgan's artwork frequently explored spiritual themes, mythology, and social reform, particularly focusing on women's rights and the role of women in society. ## Why They Matter Evelyn De Morgan made significant contributions to the Pre-Raphaelite movement during a period when women artists faced considerable barriers in the art world. Her work challenged conventional representations of women by portraying them as powerful, spiritual beings rather than passive objects. Through her paintings, she addressed contemporary social issues while maintaining the technical excellence and symbolic richness of Pre-Raphaelite art, helping to expand the movement's thematic scope and influence. ## Notable For - Creating Pre-Raphaelite paintings with distinctive spiritual and mythological themes - Being one of the few prominent women artists in the late 19th-century British art scene - Addressing social reform and women's rights through symbolic artwork - Maintaining a successful artistic career from the 1870s through 1919 - Producing the painting "Flora" in 1894 ## Body ### Early Life and Education Evelyn De Morgan was born on 30 August 1855 in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. She demonstrated artistic talent from an early age and pursued formal training at the Slade School of Fine Art, which had been established in 1871 as part of University College London. The Slade School was known for its progressive approach to art education and provided De Morgan with the technical foundation that would characterize her later work. ### Artistic Career De Morgan established herself as a professional artist during the 1870s and maintained an active career until her death in 1919. She worked as an independent artist throughout her career, creating paintings that exemplified Pre-Raphaelite techniques while developing her own distinctive style. Her work was characterized by meticulous attention to detail, rich color palettes, and complex symbolic content. ### Notable Works Among her significant works is "Flora," completed in 1894. This painting demonstrates her mastery of Pre-Raphaelite techniques and her interest in mythological subjects. The work exemplifies her ability to combine classical themes with contemporary artistic approaches, creating pieces that were both technically accomplished and thematically rich. ### Artistic Style and Themes De Morgan's artistic style was firmly rooted in the Pre-Raphaelite tradition, featuring detailed, realistic depictions combined with symbolic content. However, she expanded the movement's typical subject matter to include more direct social commentary. Her paintings often featured women as central figures, portraying them with agency and power rather than as passive objects. Spiritual and mythological themes were common in her work, reflecting her interest in these subjects and their potential for symbolic expression. ### Social and Cultural Context Working during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, De Morgan operated in a cultural context that was often hostile to women artists. Despite these challenges, she maintained a successful career and developed a reputation for her distinctive artistic vision. Her work addressed contemporary social issues, particularly women's rights and the role of women in society, making her an important figure in both the art world and the broader cultural landscape of her time. ### Legacy and Influence Evelyn De Morgan's contributions to Pre-Raphaelite art helped expand the movement's thematic range and demonstrated the significant role women could play in this artistic tradition. Her paintings continue to be studied and appreciated for their technical excellence, symbolic richness, and social commentary. As one of the few prominent women artists of her era, she helped pave the way for future generations of female artists and expanded the possibilities for women's representation in art. ## References 1. Union List of Artist Names. 2015 2. International Standard Name Identifier 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. MusicBrainz 5. Benezit Dictionary of Artists 6. SNAC 7. Internet Speculative Fiction Database 8. Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851–1951 9. FemBio database 10. Discogs 11. RKDartists 12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 13. [Source](https://library.si.edu/art-and-artist-files)