Scarica the blind girl descrizione in inglese e più Dispense in PDF di Elementi di storia dell'arte ed espressioni grafiche solo su Docsity! Painted in 1856, it is entitled The Blind Girl. Millais was one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of young artists and poets who came to prominence in the mid 19th century. The scene Millais has painted a touching scene. We are looking at a moment shortly after a storm. Two people, a young woman and a little girl are sitting on the banks of a stream (they could be sisters). There is a double rainbow in the background and the little girl, who’s been taking shelter under the other’s shawl is looking at the rainbow. There are lambs in the fields and the landscape is illuminated with a sparkling light. The conflict Even though the scene seems idyllic, there’s an element of conflict. The young woman with the accordion resting in her lap is blind. We know this by the tiny label around her neck ‘Pity the Blind.’ This also suggests, along with the presence of her humble clothing, that she might be a beggar. She cannot see the rainbow and in this scene she tries to use the sense of touch; her hand is clasping that of her companion, her fingers upon the blades of grass at her side. She appears intent, focused on her inner experience, aware perhaps of the warmth from the sun. Millais and Christian Allegory The straying sheep in the background, often to be detected in Pre-Raphaelite landscapes, remind us of this sense of loss - sheep being symbolic of ‘ the flock’ or congregation. Further Symbolism One of the enduring and universal themes of the Pre-Raphaelites, and those who followed or emulated them, was Hope. And this painting is certainly no exception. All is not lost for the Blind Girl. Despite her affliction, she has the guiding spirit of her young friend, who can see the rainbow - that eternal symbol of redemption. Upon the blind girl’s shawl, meanwhile, a butterfly has just settled. The butterfly is gentle and ethereal. Not forgetting St.Thomas There is one more thing to note about this remarkable painting, and that is its location. The background shows a very real place that Millais knew well: the small town of Winchelsea in East Sussex. The rainbow appears over the ancient church of St Thomas, and what is still a largely intact medieval habitation. This was the ‘doubting Thomas’of the Bible – the sceptic among the disciples. Thomas it was who insisted on seeing Christ's wounds in order to accept the truth of the Resurrection. He was a man who needed visual proof in order to believe and to have faith. He needed to see for himself.
